OSHA Inspection: GENERAL MOTORS POWERTRAIN CORPORATION

Issued

Oct 4, 2006

Abate by

Oct 10, 2006

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $5,000

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 HAZARD OF BEING STRUCK-BY THE FURNACE DOOR AND
CONTACTING MOLTEN METAL:
a)Castline # 5, on or about 04/13/2006: The 1650 lb. furnace door lifting
wire
rope cable and turnbuckle was not maintained in a condition to prevent the
attachments at the wire rope and turnbuckle from working loose during
operation and falling.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods to correct each of
these
hazards are to:
Specify maintenance procedures and establish a program of inspection
procedures for the furnace shields and barriers, including lifting
mechanisms,
to minimize hazards to operating and maintenance personnel in accordance
with ANSI Z241.2-1989, Section 4, Care of Equipment, paragraph 4.1.1.3,
American National Standard Safety Requirements for melting and pouring
of metals in the metalcasting industry.
b)Castline # 5, on or about 04/13/2006: Furnace operators routinely
hoisted a
1650 lb furnace door and did not secure the safety latch at the top
allowing
the door to slowly drift downward while placing their hands inside the
furnace to obtain a molten sample.
Abatement certification must be submitted for these items.
Ensure employees are trained to perform their assigned functions in a
manner that will minimize hazards in accordance with ANSI Z241.2-1989,
Section 6, Operation of Melting and Pouring Equipment, paragraph 6.1.1,
American National Standard Safety Requirements for melting and pouring
of metals in the metalcasting industry