OSHA Inspection: UNION ELECTRIC STEEL CORPORATION

Issued

Jul 22, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

1910.333(c)(10)): 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 fire and explosion hazards created by the use of gas fired vertical tempering furnaces with inoperable safety switches.      a) Hardening Department, 726 Bell Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106:  Observed on or about April 19, 2016, furnace 226 was being used with an inoperable safety switch designed to prevent the furnace from being lit with the furnace lid in the closed position.  Lighting the furnace with the lid in the closed position could create a fire or explosion hazard.      b) Hardening Department, 726 Bell Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106:  Observed on or about April 19, 2016, furnace 227 was being used with an inoperable safety switch designed to prevent the furnace from being lit with the furnace lid in the closed position.  Lighting the furnace with the lid in the closed position could create a fire or explosion hazard.

Issued

Jul 22, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a):  Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, were not provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition:         a) #10 furnace, Hardening Department, 726 Bell Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106:  On or about April 19, 2016, the employer did not ensure that fall protection was used by employees stacking furnace rings at the #10 furnace.  Employees were exposed to fall hazards while climbing on gas pipes to hook up rigging on the upper sections of the furnace.

Issued

Jul 22, 2016

Abate by

Aug 3, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $5,628

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(2):  The machine or equipment was not turned off or shut down using the procedures established for the machine or equipment:    a)  IH Pit, 726 Bell Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106:  On or about April 19, 2016, the IH Pit is periodically accessed by employees without the IH Unit being shut down using the procedures developed for the equipment.  Employees are exposed to electric shock and electrocution hazards while working in the IH pit when the IH unit is not locked out.