OSHA Inspection: MCWANE INC. DBA ATLANTIC STATES CAST IRON PIPE CO.

Issued

Feb 22, 2008

Abate by

Mar 26, 2008

Penalty

Initial $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 a potential steam/molten metal explosion:
a- Melting Department.  Employees were exposed to steam explosion hazards
in that
the employer did not provide adequate procedures for cupola draining to
ensure that
the molten alloy was drained properly and safely, preventing steam
explosions.
Condition noted on or about 08/24/2007.
Feasible and acceptable methods among others to correct the hazard are to:
1- Checking the drain area for adequacy of size, quality and dryness of
sand
bed, and presence of standing water nearby just prior to molten alloy
drain.
2- Raising the elevation of the drain area to prevent seepage of water
under the
bed.
3- Diverting water overflow or splashing from cupola moat away from the
drain area.  Ways should be developed and implemented to prevent or
minimize water overflow or splashing.
4- Grading the adjacent roadway to divert rain water and other natural
precipitation away from the drain area.
5- Using only dry sand instead of sand and slag chips as materials for the
drain area.  Covering the sand pile helps ensure its dryness.
6- Draining the slag first followed by the molten alloy.