OSHA Inspection: U. S. STEEL CORPORATION

Issued

Sep 13, 2004

Abate by

Oct 14, 2004

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,500 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 unexpected movement of locomotive and trailing railroad
cars without radio
communication with the locomotive operator:
(a) Plant, Screening Station #2, Track #246:  On or about July 7, 2004, an
employee was
operating an in-plant locomotive without visual and/or radio
communications with his crew
which did not conform to the U. S. Steel In-Plant Railroad Safe
Railroading Work Practices
policy as outlined in Section 3.11; Section 6.1.7 and Section 6.1.9.  In
addition, a preventive
maintenance policy, as outlined in Section 7.1 of the U. S. Steel In-Plant
Railroad Safe
Railroading Work Practices was not being followed.
Among other methods one feasible and acceptable means to abate this hazard
is ensure that no
locomotive and trailing railroad cars are moved unless the operator is in
visual and/or radio
communication with employees.  In addition, follow the company's developed
preventive
maintenance program as outlined in the U. S. Steel In-Plant Railroad Safe
Railroading Work
Practices manual.