OSHA Inspection: STRUCTURAL METALS, INC

Issued

Dec 4, 2002

Abate by

Dec 16, 2002

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $70,000

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 explosion:
a) On or about September 27, 2002 two employees were burned when the Fuchs
furnace
at the melt shop exploded. The employer allowed the melting process to
continue despite water
leakage that occurs from damaged water cooling panels. This practice
requires the Melter and
or General Turn Foreman to make an assessment to determine the severity of
the leak and the
probability of puddling inside the furnace.  The employees were in the
process of performing
the furnace turn around when water from a leaking roof (cooling) panel
became encapsulated
in the molten metal leading to the explosion and ultimately to critical
burns over 68 and 92
percent of the employees bodies.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct the hazard is
to repair the damaged cooling panel by welding or replacing the cooling
panel. The employer
can also improve their foamy slag process to coat the sides and roof of
the furnace to reduce the
possibility of damage to the cooling panels.