OSHA Inspection: REPUBLIC STEEL

Issued

Apr 26, 2016

Abate by

May 9, 2016

Penalty

Initial $22,000 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Open-sided floors and/or platforms four feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded with standard railings (or equivalent) and toeboards: Note:Toeboards are only required when persons can pass, there is moving equipment or there is equipment with which falling materials could create a hazard.      On November 4, 2015, employees working on flat bed rolling stock trailer located inside the facility of plant #1 near door #8 were not protected from falls while loading. The trailer measured a fall hazard of 57 inches to the ground below.    Republic Steel was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 942545, citation number 2, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on May 1, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 401 Rose Ave. SE, Massillon, OH.    Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, the employer must submit an abatement plan with (25 days) describing the steps it is taking to ensure compliance, including an explanation of how these steps protect its employees from fall hazards.  Every 30 days thereafter, the employer shall submit a progress report stating how employees are being protected from fall hazards; whether it is meeting the schedule set for in its abatement plan, and if not why not; and whether it is maintaining the protections that have already been installed.

Issued

Apr 26, 2016

Abate by

Apr 30, 2016

Penalty

Initial $38,500 · Current $12,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(3): All energy isolating devices that were needed to control the energy to the machine or equipment were not physically located and operated in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source(s):    a) On or about November 4, 2015, the employer did not ensure that the electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, and pneumatic energy disconnects for the Schumag line #2, located in plant 2,  were operated in a manner that isolated the energy source prior to authorized employees performing work, in that locks were not applied to each specific energy source nor were the energy source(s) relieved, disconnected, restrained or otherwise rendered safe during servicing/maintenance and set up operations. An employee was observed performing change over and set up operations on the equipment without the control of hazardous energies.      b)On or about November 4, 2015, the employer did not ensure that the electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, and pneumatic energy disconnects for the Independent Medart, located in plant 1,  were operated in a manner that isolated the energy source prior to authorized employees performing work, in that locks were not applied to each specific energy source nor were the energy source(s) relieved, disconnected, restrained or otherwise rendered safe during servicing/maintenance and set up operations. An employee was observed opening a barrier guard, reaching in, and retrieving a funnel guide.          Republic Steel was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 942545, citation number 2, item number 7 and was affirmed as a final order on May 1, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 401 Rose Ave. SE, Massillon, OH.      Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, the employer must submit an abatement plan with (25 days) describing the steps it is taking to ensure compliance, including an explanation of how these steps protect its employees from fall hazards.  Every 30 days thereafter, the employer shall submit a progress report stating how employees are being protected from fall hazards; whether it is meeting the schedule set for in its abatement plan, and if not why not; and whether it is maintaining the protections that have already been installed.

Issued

Apr 26, 2016

Abate by

Apr 30, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(4)(i): Lockout or tagout devices were not affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees    a)  On or about November 4, 2015 lockout procedures were not utilized during set-up operations of the Schumag line #2 located in plant 2.  An employee was observed performing the setting up of the equipment which included the changing of dies and other equipment as needed. Isolating devices were not affixed to the electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, and pneumatic energy sources.    b)  On or about November 4, 2015 lockout procedures were not utilized during maintenance operations of the Independent Medart located in plant 1. An employee was observed opening a barrier guard, reaching in, and retrieving a funnel guide  Isolating devices were not affixed to the electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, and pneumatic energy sources.    Republic Steel was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(4)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 942545, citation number 2, item number 8 and was affirmed as a final order on May 1, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 401 Rose Ave. SE, Massillon, OH.     Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, the employer must submit an abatement plan with (25 days) describing the steps it is taking to ensure compliance, including an explanation of how these steps protect its employees from fall hazards.  Every 30 days thereafter, the employer shall submit a progress report stating how employees are being protected from fall hazards; whether it is meeting the schedule set for in its abatement plan, and if not why not; and whether it is maintaining the protections that have already been installed.

Issued

Apr 26, 2016

Abate by

May 9, 2016

Penalty

Initial $38,500 · Current $12,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): Machine guarding is not provided to protect operator(s) and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:    a)  On or about November 4, 2015, Roto tester, operator station in-between the straightener and roto test:  No guard for the rollers was present. The employer roped off the equipment, however employees routinely still enter the area.         b)  On or about November 4, 2015, Schumag continuous draw line #2:  The push head did not have guarding affixed or interlocked. Employees operate the equipment with the doors open.         c)  On or about November 4, 2015,, Schumag continuous draw line #2:  The pre-straightener guard was not affixed or interlocked in place. Employees operate the equipment with the doors open.           d)  On or about November 4, 2015, Plant 2, Schumag continuous draw line #2:  The pulling heads guards were not affixed or interlocked in place.  Employees operate the equipment with the doors open.           e)  On or about November 4, 2015, Plant 2, Schumag continuous draw line #2:  The cutting head guard was not affixed or interlocked in place. Employees operate the equipment with the doors open.           f)  On or about November 4, 2015, Plant 2, Schumag continuous draw line #2:  The pinch roll guard was not affixed or interlocked.  Employees operate the equipment with the doors open.         g)  On or about November 4, 2015, Plant 2, Schumag continuous draw line #2:  The straightener/polisher guard was not affixed or interlocked.   Employees operate the equipment with the doors open.           Republic Steel was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 942545, citation number 2, item number 9 and was affirmed as a final order on May 1, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 401 Rose Ave. SE, Massillon, OH.      Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, the employer must submit an abatement plan with (25 days) describing the steps it is taking to ensure compliance, including an explanation of how these steps protect its employees from fall hazards.  Every 30 days thereafter, the employer shall submit a progress report stating how employees are being protected from fall hazards; whether it is meeting the schedule set for in its abatement plan, and if not why not; and whether it is maintaining the protections that have already been installed.

Issued

Apr 26, 2016

Abate by

May 14, 2016

Penalty

Initial $22,000 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3): Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven (7) feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:    a) On or about November 4, 2015, the employed failed to ensure that sprocket wheels and chains providing mechanical power to the conveyors of the low temp and #1 furnaces were completely guarded. Areas of guarding on the hazard areas were missing, only half covered, partially covered, or missing completely.     b) On or about November 4, 2015, the employed failed to ensure that sprocket wheels and chains providing mechanical power to the control arms and movers of the bar blaster were effectively guarded in that no cover or barrier guarding was present to protect the employees from the hazardous area.     Republic Steel was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 942545, citation number 1, item number 8 and was affirmed as a final order on May 1, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 401 Rose Ave. SE, Massillon, OH.      Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, the employer must submit an abatement plan with (25 days) describing the steps it is taking to ensure compliance, including an explanation of how these steps protect its employees from fall hazards.  Every 30 days thereafter, the employer shall submit a progress report stating how employees are being protected from fall hazards; whether it is meeting the schedule set for in its abatement plan, and if not why not; and whether it is maintaining the protections that have already been installed.