OSHA Inspection: GREDE FOUNDRIES, INC.

Issued

Dec 15, 2009

Abate by

Jan 19, 2010

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $4,000

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, in that
employees were exposed
to Legionella pneumophila bacteria and at risk of developing Legionnaires'
disease.
On July 9, 2009, 2 non-potable water samples were taken from roof top
cooling towers, tested
positive for Legionella pneumophila.  The cooling towers were in close
proximity to several
fresh air intakes, providing dust-free breathing air to workers within the
foundry.  Cooling tower
water was not properly maintained, providing an environment for Legionella
pneumophila to
grow, exposing employees to Legionella pneumophila.
Water samples were obtained on July 9, 2009, indicated:
a) IT8 cooling tower water was positive for Legionella pneumophila.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT
METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS to follow:
Cooling Technology Institute "Legionellosis Guideline:  Best Practice for
Control of Legionella"
July 2008.
ASHRAE Guideline 12-2000 "Minimizing the Risk of Legionellosis Associated
with Building
Water Systems.
Wisconsin Division of Health "Control of Legionella in Cooling Towers:
Summary Guidelines,"
June 1987, Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Sciences.
1)  treat contaminated water with biocides and perform periodic microbial
growth testing,
including Legionella, to ensure microbial growth is controlled.
2)  install drift eliminators on cooling towers.