OSHA Inspection: MID AMERICAN STEEL & WIRE CO., LLC

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Oct 1, 2014

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances C730

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to fire and explosion hazards during electric arc furnace operations.       a.  On or about 1/20/2014, Melt Shop Electric Arc Furnace, employees who worked at or near the electric arc furnace (EAF) during scrap metal melting operations were exposed to fire and molten metal explosion hazards and the employer did not ensure the following:       1. Electric arc furnace manufacturers operating procedures for normal and emergency conditions.       2. Pressure relief for delta water ring of the EAF       3. Audible alarm for low cooling water pressure on the EAF        4. EAF exhaust ventilation interlocked to EAF heating system       5. Instance #5 Deleted per informal settlement agreement      6.  Floor markings or warning signs for molten metal exposure at open slag door       7.  Flame supervision (flame out protection) interlocked to combustion safety circuitry for EAF burners          8.  Low cooling water limit switches interlocked to combustion safety circuitry for EAF burners     9.  Steel scrap charged to the electric arc melt furnace was dry and void of any water, moisture, or liquid-bearing material

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Aug 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(2): Exit routes were not arranged so that employees would not have to travel toward a high hazard area, unless the path of travel was effectively shielded from the high hazard area by suitable partitions or other physical barriers:       a.  On or about 1/20/2014, Melt Shop Electric Arc Furnace, employees worked at the 13.8 KV electric arc furnace platform floor during scrap metal melting operations, and the path of travel to emergency exit routes required employees to walk in areas that were unshielded or not effectively shielded from the electric arc furnace.  Employees who worked at or near the electric arc melt furnace during scrap metal melting operations were exposed to fire and molten metal explosion hazards.

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Oct 1, 2014

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(1): The employer did not develop and implement an emergency response plan to handle anticipated emergencies prior to commencement of emergency response operations:    a.  On or about 1/20/2014, Melt Shop Electric Arc Furnace, an emergency response plan was not implemented.  An employee alarm for emergency evacuation was not sounded for a fire and explosion at the electric arc furnace.  Employees who worked at or near the electric arc furnace were exposed to fire, electric arc furnace dust, and molten metal hazards.

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Oct 1, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(iii): Employee training did not include the measures employees can take to protect themselves from chemical hazards, including specific procedures the employer had implemented to protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures and personal protective equipment to be used:      a. On or about 1/20/2014, Melt Shop Electric Arc Furnace, employees were not adequately trained in emergency  procedures for the affected area.  Employees who worked at or near the electric arc melt furnace during scrap metal melting operations were exposed to fire, electric arc furnace dust, and molten metal hazards.

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Aug 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $5,610 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:       a.  On or about 1/20/2014, Melt Shop Electric Arc Furnace, operators were not required to wear fire resistant neck coverings.  Employees who worked at or near the electric arc melt furnace during scrap metal melting operations were exposed to fire and molten metal explosion hazards.