OSHA Inspection: ASARCO, LLC

Issued

Dec 5, 2014

Abate by

Dec 17, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,400 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.243(c)(1): Abrasive wheel(s) were used on portable grinder(s) which were not provided with safety guard(s) meeting the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.243(c)(1) through (c)(4)(a).    On or about July 15, 2014, and at times prior thereto, a 4 1/2 Milwaukee portable hand grinder without safety guard was used at the tank house maintenance shop located at lower floor level.  This condition exposed employees to struck-by hazards.

Issued

Dec 5, 2014

Abate by

Dec 17, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,250 · Current $2,125 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(6)(ii): Grounding. Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C), were dispensed into containers where the nozzle and containers were not electrically interconnected.    On or about July 15, 2014, and at times prior thereto, employees were dispensing class 1 and 3 flammable liquids such as Acetone; Hetron 922-L25 Resin, and Lacquer Thinner from a 55 gallon metal drum into plastic five gallon buckets where nozzle and container were not electrically interconnected and effectively grounded at the fiberglass shop.  This condition exposed employees to fire hazards.

Issued

Dec 5, 2014

Abate by

Dec 17, 2014

Penalty

Initial $850 · Current $500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(f)(2): Each service, feeder, and branch circuit, at its disconnecting means or overcurrent device, was not legibly marked to indicate its purpose, nor located and arranged so the purpose was evident.    On or above July 15, 2014, and at times prior thereto, an electrical branch circuit panel 38LPO1 located at brick and ladle repair shop had overcurrent circuit protection devices that were not legibly marked to indicate their purpose nor located and arranged so the purpose was evident.  This condition exposed employees to electrical hazards.

Issued

Dec 5, 2014

Abate by

Dec 17, 2014

Penalty

Initial $850 · Current $500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(c)(4): Snap switches mounted in boxes did not have faceplates installed so as to completely cover the opening and seat against the finished surface.    On or July 15, 2014, and at times prior thereto, an electrolyte slime emergency alarm reset (ON/OFF) snap switch installed in a junction box at a pole outside the Supervisor's office did not have a cover plate that covered completely the electrical energized wires inside the box at the Slime/Leaching area.  This condition exposed employees to electrical hazards.

Issued

Dec 5, 2014

Abate by

Dec 17, 2014

Penalty

Initial $850 · Current $500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords were not connected to devices and fittings so that tension would not be transmitted to joints or terminal screws.    On or about July 15, 2014, and at times prior thereto, an energized electrical flexible cord connected to a junction box installed onto the copper wire spoil roller turn table at rod line was not provided with a strain relief device or fitting that prevents it from being pulled directly from the joints or terminal screws.  This condition exposed employees to electrical hazards.

Issued

Dec 5, 2014

Abate by

Dec 17, 2014

Penalty

Initial $850 · Current $500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.333(a)(2): Where exposed live parts were not de-energized (i.e., for reasons of increased or additional hazards or infeasibility), work practices that were used were not suitable for the conditions under which the work was performed.    On or above July 15, 2014, and at times prior thereto, work practice of tool use that were not electrically insulated, such as screw drivers, ratchets, and vice-grips, was performed at the tank house.  This condition exposed employees to electrical hazards.

Issued

Dec 5, 2014

Abate by

Dec 17, 2014

Penalty

Initial $850 · Current $500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(e): Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not determined and implemented to achieve compliance with the limits prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.1000(a) through (d).    On or about July 17, 2014, and at times prior thereto, administrative or engineering controls implemented at Anode casting and furnace areas were not proven to be effective. A personal monitoring of employees working at these areas was conducted during the inspection. The permissible exposure limits for copper fumes for an eight hour time period were exceeded.  This condition exposed employees to health hazards.