OSHA Inspection: SPECIALLOY METALS COMPANY

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 21, 1990

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were
free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death
or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to
the hazards of burns and explosion resulting from the accidental release
of natural gas due to the use of improper piping material(s) and
connector(s) when heating charge material prior to loading it in the
furnace(s). Unsuitable flexible rubber hose(s) and hose clamp(s) are
run across the floor to 55 gallon open drums of charge material, located
near the in-plant office/break room.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to install suitable, safe piping material(s)
and connector(s) for use with natural gas and to protect piping and
connectors from physical and thermal damage.
NOTE:  The employer is not limited to the abatement method suggested
above, the method explained is general and may not be effective in all
cases.

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Oct 1, 1990

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $130 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were
free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death
or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to
the hazards associated with the inhalation of beryllium dust, the
hazard of drowning, and/or death due to oxygen deficient atmosphere
while cleaning and/or performing repair in the pit.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement to correct
this hazard is to institute a formal confined space entry program such
as that stipulated by ANSI Z117.1-1977 American National Standard on
Safety Requirements For Working in Tanks and Other Confined Spaces. An
acceptable confined space entry program consists of, but is not limited
to, the following:
1) Written procedures covering a permit system, ventilation,
atmospheric testing, rescue procedures and employee training.
2) The completion and posting of a confined space entry permit which
requires authorization and approval in writing that specifies the
location and type of work to be done and certifies that all existing
and potential hazards have been evaluated by a qualified (competent)
person and necessary protective measures have been taken to ensure
the safety of each worker.
3) Mechanical ventilation of the confined space prior to entry and
continued ventilation to provide a safe atmosphere, when determined
necessary as described in (2) above.
4) Testing the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry and
on a regular basis for presence of sufficient oxygen (19.5%) and
absence of hazardous levels of toxic or combustible gases or vapors,
when determined necessary as described in (2) above.
5) Emergency rescue procedures with a requirement that trained personnel
are available and are stationed outside the confined space with
proper equipment to provide for the rescue of persons entering the
space as determined necessary as described in (2) above. Such
equipment must include safety harness and/or wristlets and lifelines
with provisions for hoisting employees from the confined space. If
entry is required for rescue, the rescuing employee must be equipped
with approved air supplied respiratory equipment and other
appropriate personal protective equipment.
6) Training of any and all employees required to enter the confined
spaces. This training shall include procedures required prior to
entry and the hazards associated with work in confined spaces.
NOTE: The employer is not limited to the abatement method suggested
above, the method explained is general and may not be effective
in all cases.

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Oct 4, 1990

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $60 Reduced

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 2, 1990

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $60 Reduced

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Sep 13, 1990

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $60 Reduced

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Oct 4, 1990

Penalty

Initial $360 · Current $70 Reduced

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 2, 1990

Penalty

Initial $360 · Current $70 Reduced

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Oct 30, 1990

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $130 Reduced

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Sep 13, 1990

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $80 Reduced

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Sep 13, 1990

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $90 Reduced

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Oct 26, 1990

Penalty

Initial $810 · Current $160 Reduced

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Sep 13, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Sep 13, 1990

Penalty

Initial $810 · Current $160 Reduced

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Sep 13, 1990

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $60 Reduced

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 2, 1990

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $60 Reduced

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 2, 1990

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $130 Reduced

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Sep 13, 1990

Penalty

Initial $10,000 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were
free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death
or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to
severe burns, multiple traumatic injuries, and/or death from the hazards
of steam explosion at the A/R Furnace due to the potential for molten
metal to come in accidental contact with water because of inadequate
control measures.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to establish new administrative and/or
engineering controls for all casting operations, including, but not
limited to, improved consolidated control panel(s) displating continuous
readouts for all phases of the casting operations, i.e., water pressure,
temperature, casting speed; control measures to limit liquid
accumulations in the pit; use of water-jacketed molds to prevent direct
water spray contact; installation of an interlock between the furnace
tilting mechanism and the platen.
NOTE:  The employer is not limited to the abatement method suggested
above, the method explained is general and may not be effective in all
cases.

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Sep 13, 1990

Penalty

Initial $10,000 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were
free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death
or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to
severe burns, multiple traumatic injuries, and/or death from the hazards
of steam explosion at the A/R Furnace due to the potential for molten
metal to come in accidental contact with water because of the lack of
adequate standard operating procedures.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to establish written standard operating procedure
for each casting operation, including but not limited to, temperature
settings, water pressure settings, casting speed, temperature control
methods, emergency shut-down/start-up procedures.
NOTE:  The employer is not limited to the abatement method suggested
above, the method explained is general and may not be effective in all
cases.

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Sep 13, 1990

Penalty

Initial $10,000 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were
free from recognized hazards that were causing of likely to cause death
or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to
severe burns and multiple traumatic injuries throughout the casting
operations on both the A/R and LOMA furnaces due to the lack of specific
safety training in the hazards associated with semi-continuous casting
operations.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to establish a formal training program for all
casting employees which would include recognition, avoidance, and
prevention of hazards likely to be encountered in all phases of the
casting operations pursuant to written standard operating procedures
developed for casting operations.
NOTE:  The employer is not limited to the abatement method suggested
above, the method explained is general and may not be effective in all
cases.

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Sep 13, 1990

Penalty

Initial $10,000 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were
free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death
or serious phusical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to
the hazards of severe burns and multiple traumatic injuries resulting
from equipment failures due to the lack of preventive maintenance for
all casting equipment.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to establish normal preventive maintenance
procedures for all casting equipment, including but not limited to, the
furnace(s), temperature gauges, water pressure gauges, hydraulic
cylinder(s), platen(s), water pump(s), casting controls and calibration
of readouts on control panel(s), billet and slab molds, pit(s) and
tank(s).
NOTE:  The employer is not limited to the abatement method suggested
above, the method explained is general and may not be effective in all
cases.

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Oct 1, 1990

Penalty

Initial $10,000 · Current $2,000 Reduced

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Oct 26, 1990

Penalty

Initial $10,000 · Current $2,000 Reduced

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Oct 26, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 15, 1990

Penalty

Initial $10,000 · Current $2,000 Reduced

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 10, 1990

Penalty

Initial $60 · Current $60

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Sep 13, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 10, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 2, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Sep 13, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 2, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Sep 13, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 2, 1990