OSHA Inspection: REPUBLIC STEEL

Issued

May 18, 2017

Abate by

Jul 18, 2018

Penalty

Initial $7,967 · Current $1,595 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling methods listed in 1910.28(b)(1)(i)(A) through 1910.28(b)(1)(i)(C):    On or about January 17, 2017, cast floor employees were exposed to a fall of approximately 59 inches when performing work tasks including, but not limited to installing kaolwool insulation blankets and attaching rigging.

Issued

May 18, 2017

Abate by

Jul 18, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(11)(ii): Each flight of stairs having at least 3 treads and at least 4 risers was not equipped with stair rail systems and handrails on all open sides:    On or about January 17, 2017, employees on the cast floor were exposed to a fall of approximately 59 inches when performing work tasks including, but not limited to installing blankets and attaching rigging. A 6 tread, 7 riser stairway with damaged stair rails is utilized to access the area.

Issued

May 18, 2017

Abate by

Jul 18, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $2,535 Reduced

Hazardous substances 15919135

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(3)(i)(B)(1): The employer did not select a respirator for employee use that maintained the employee's exposure to the hazardous substance, when measured outside the respirator, at or below the maximum use concentration:    a. On or about February 24, 2017, MSA Escort ELF (sn: A2-33012) was placed on an employee for a total of 445 minutes. Results indicated that employees are exposed to lead at an 8 hour time weighted average of 611 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3), which is more than 10 times the OSHA permissible exposure limit of 50 µg/m3. Employees are required to wear a half mask air purifying respirator with an assigned protection factor of 10, which is not adequate for the respiratory hazards in this area.      b. On or about February 24, 2017, MSA Escort ELF (sn: A2-33012) was placed on an employee for a total of 445 minutes. Results indicated that employees are exposed to total particulates at an 8 hour time weighted average of 426.5 mg/m3, which is more than 10 times the OSHA permissible exposure limit of 15 mg/m3. Employees are required to wear a half mask air purifying respirator with an assigned protection factor of 10, which is not adequate for respiratory hazards in this area.

Issued

May 18, 2017

Abate by

Jul 18, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $2,535 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9135

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(a)(2): Employee(s) were exposed to an airborne concentration of particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust) listed in Table Z-1 in excess of the 8 hour Time Weighted Average concentration of 15 mg/m3:    On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working in 2nd Steel Pour in the melt shop was exposed to total particulates at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 426.5 mg/m3 during the 445 minute sampling period. This is 28.43 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 35 minutes not sampled.

Issued

May 18, 2017

Abate by

Jul 18, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9135

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 February 24, 2017, an employee working in 2nd Steel Pour in the melt shop was exposed to total particulates at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 426.5 mg/m3 during the 445 minute sampling period. This is 28.43 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 35 minutes not sampled. Engineering controls were not utilized to lower exposure levels.

Issued

May 18, 2017

Abate by

Jul 18, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(c)(1): Employee(s) were exposed to lead at concentrations greater than fifty micrograms per cubic meter of air averaged over an eight-hour period:    a. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working as the VTD helper was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 60.32 µg/m3 during the 381 minute sampling period. This is 1.207 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 99 minutes not sampled.       b. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working on the cast floor  in CBCF was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 77.6 µg/m3 during the 405 minute sampling period. This is 1.553 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 75 minutes not sampled.      c. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working on the cast floor  in CBCF was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 84.38 µg/m3 during the 405 minute sampling period. This is 1.688 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 75 minutes not sampled.      d. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working on ladle deck in CBCF was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 70.18 µg/m3 during the 401 minute sampling period. This is 1.404 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 79 minutes not sampled.      e. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working on ladle deck in CBCF was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 71.36 µg/m3 during the 403 minute sampling period. This is 1.427 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 77 minutes not sampled.       f. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee operating Crane 422 in the melt shop was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 151.7 µg/m3 during the 455 minute sampling period. This is 3.03 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 25 minutes not sampled.      g. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working in 2nd Steel Pour in the melt shop was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 611.9 µg/m3 during the 445 minute sampling period. This is 12.238 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 35 minutes not sampled.

Issued

May 18, 2017

Abate by

Jul 18, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(e)(1)(i): For any employees exposed to lead above the permissible exposure limit for more than 30 days per year the employer did not implement engineering and work practice controls (including administrative controls) were not implemented to reduce and maintain employee exposure to lead:    a. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working as the VTD helper was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 60.32 µg/m3 during the 381 minute sampling period. This is 1.207 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 99 minutes not sampled.       b. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working on the cast floor  in CBCF was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 77.6 µg/m3 during the 405 minute sampling period. This is 1.553 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 75 minutes not sampled.      c. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working on the cast floor  in CBCF was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 84.38 µg/m3 during the 405 minute sampling period. This is 1.688 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 75 minutes not sampled.      d. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working on ladle deck in CBCF was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 70.18µg/m3 during the 401 minute sampling period. This is 1.404 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 79 minutes not sampled.      e. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working on ladle deck in CBCF was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 71.36µg/m3 during the 403 minute sampling period. This is 1.427 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 77 minutes not sampled.       f. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee operating Crane 422 in the melt shop was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 151.7 µg/m3 during the 455 minute sampling period. This is 3.03 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 25 minutes not sampled.      g. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working in 2nd Steel Pour in the melt shop was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 611.9 µg/m3 during the 445 minute sampling period. This is 12.238 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 35 minutes not sampled.      Engineering controls were not utilized to reduce employee exposure to lead below the OSHA permissible exposure limit.

Issued

May 18, 2017

Abate by

Jul 18, 2018

Penalty

Initial $9,959 · Current $1,990 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(i)(1): The employer did not ensure that food or beverage was not present, or consumed; tobacco products were not present, or used and cosmetics were not applied in areas where employees were exposed to lead in excess of the permissible exposure limit:    a. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working on the cast floor  in CBCF was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 77.6 µg/m3 during the 405 minute sampling period. This is 1.553 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 75 minutes not sampled.       b. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working on the cast floor  in CBCF was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 84.38 µg/m3 during the 405 minute sampling period. This is 1.688 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 75 minutes not sampled.       c. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working on ladle deck in CBCF was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 70.18µg/m3 during the 401 minute sampling period. This is 1.404 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 79 minutes not sampled.       d. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working on ladle deck in CBCF was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 71.36µg/m3 during the 403 minute sampling period. This is 1.427 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 77 minutes not sampled.       e. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working as the VTD helper was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 60.32 µg/m3 during the 381 minute sampling period. This is 1.207 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 99 minutes not sampled.         The employer permitted employees working in the cast floor and ladle deck pulpits to consume food and beverages while exposed to lead above the permissible exposure limit of 50 µg/m3.

Issued

May 18, 2017

Abate by

Jul 18, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(i)(4)(ii): Lunchroom facilities for employee(s) exposed to lead in excess of the permissible exposure limit (PEL), without regard to the use of respirators, were not readily accessible to employee(s):    a. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working on the cast floor in CBCF was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 77.6 µg/m3 during the 405 minute sampling period. This is 1.553 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 75 minutes not sampled.       b. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working on the cast floor in CBCF was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 84.38 µg/m3 during the 405 minute sampling period. This is 1.688 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 75 minutes not sampled.       c. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working on ladle deck in CBCF was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 70.18 µg/m3 during the 401 minute sampling period. This is 1.404 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 79 minutes not sampled.       d. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working on ladle deck in CBCF was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 71.36 µg/m3 during the 403 minute sampling period. This is 1.427 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 77 minutes not sampled.       e. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working as the VTD helper was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 60.32 µg/m3 during the 381 minute sampling period. This is 1.207 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 99 minutes not sampled.     Employees in the CBCF building that are exposed to lead over the permissible exposure limit are unable to access a lunchroom facility on the ground floor due to lack of relief on the shift. Employees are instead permitted to eat in pulpits which are in the work area where overexposures occur.

Issued

May 18, 2017

Abate by

Jul 18, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(i)(4)(iv): Employees entering lunchroom facilities with protective work clothing or equipment were not required to remove surface lead dust by vacuuming, downdraft booth, or other cleaning method(s):    a. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working as the VTD helper was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 60.32 µg/m3 during the 381 minute sampling period. This is 1.207 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 99 minutes not sampled. Employees enter the refining pulpit, where food and drink is consumed, throughout the day without first removing surface lead dust prior to entering.      b. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working on the cast floor in CBCF was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 77.6 µg/m3 during the 405 minute sampling period. This is 1.553 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Employees enter the cast floor pulpit, where food and drink is consumed, throughout the day without first removing surface lead dust prior to entering.      c. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working on the cast floor in CBCF was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 84.38 µg/m3 during the 405 minute sampling period. This is 1.688 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 75 minutes not sampled. Employees enter the cast floor pulpit, where food and drink is consumed, throughout the day without first removing surface lead dust prior to entering.      d. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working on ladle deck in CBCF was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 70.18µg/m3 during the 401 minute sampling period. This is 1.404 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 79 minutes not sampled. Employees enter the ladle deck pulpit, where food and drink is consumed, throughout the day without first removing surface lead dust prior to entering.      e. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working on ladle deck in CBCF was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 71.36µg/m3 during the 403 minute sampling period. This is 1.427 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 77 minutes not sampled. Employees enter the ladle deck pulpit, where food and drink is consumed, throughout the day without first removing surface lead dust prior to entering.       f. On or about February 24, 2017, an employee working in 2nd Steel Pour in the melt shop was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 611.9 µg/m3 during the 445 minute sampling period. This is 12.238 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 35 minutes not sampled. Employees enter the pit canteen, where food and drink is consumed, throughout the day without first removing surface lead dust prior to entering.

Issued

May 18, 2017

Abate by

Jul 18, 2018

Penalty

Initial $99,594 · Current $19,920 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(h)(1): All surfaces were not maintained as free as practicable of accumulations of lead:    On or about January 17, 2017, wipe samples were taken from locations throughout the Melt Shop and CBCF areas. Analytical results indicate the presence of lead, as follows:      a. CBCF Cast Floor Pulpit Desk - 297.43 µg/ft2      b. Melt Shop Crane 423 Cab- 406.45 µg/ft2    This most recently occurred during the week of January 17, 2017. Employees are not protected from lead exposure during their work shift. Surfaces in work areas including, but not limited to pulpits and crane cabs are contaminated with lead. To abate this hazard in the future, the employer must ensure cleaning of surfaces at a frequency adequate to lower surface contamination.    Republic Steel was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.1025(h)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 942968, citation number 2 item number 1b, and was affirmed as a final order on April 21, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 8633 8th Street NE, Canton, Ohio, 44704.    Republic Steel was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.1025(h)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 982405, citation number 1, item number 2b, and was affirmed as a final order on October 15, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 1807 East 28th Street, Lorain, Ohio, 44055.