OSHA Inspection: SHIELDALLOY METALLURGICAL CORPORATION

Issued

Dec 30, 2003

Abate by

Feb 1, 2004

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,600 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 following:
a.The employer did not keep water from molten metal operations.
On or about November 09, 2003 employees working around Furnace #2
(Lectromelt Nose Tilt, 1952 model, size N, 90 degree nose tilt) were
exposed to three explosions that occurred when molten metal leaked from
the Furnace #2  shell.  The molten metal leaking from the shell of the
furnace flowed into the runoff (slag) and hydraulic pits in front of and
under the furnace.  Water had been leaking into the pits since Friday,
November 07, 2003.  Four employees were sent to the hospital.
Among other methods, some feasible method to correct the hazard would be to
ensure water and/or wet material was not in the vicinity of the furnace
when
being operated.

Issued

Dec 30, 2003

Abate by

Feb 1, 2004

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,600 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 following:
a.The employer did not ensure pit walls were made of thermally stable
materials.
On or about November 09, 2003 employees working around Furnace #2
(Lectromelt
Nose Tilt, 1952 model, size N, 90 degree nose tilt)  were exposed to three
explosions
that occurred when molten metal burned through the Furnace #2 shell.  The
molten
metal flowed into the runout (slag) pit melting through an A36 plate grade
metal
section of the refractory wall or the metal section was blown off by one
of the
explosions.  The metal section was installed to replace refractory
material in the wall
between the two pits for production reasons.  Four employees were sent to
the
hospital.
Among other methods, a feasible method to correct the hazard would be to
ensure walls between
pits of the furnace were constructed of thermally stable product
(refractory).