OSHA Inspection: ACERO JUNCTION, INC.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Feb 16, 2018

Penalty

Initial $11,641 · Current $6,985 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i): Except as provided elsewhere in this section, the employer must 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 by one or more of the following:    (A) Guardrail systems; (B) Safety net systems; or  (C) Personal fall protection systems, such as personal fall arrest, travel restraint, or positioning systems.  a. On or about August 17, 2017, located at the North Shipping Crane, Crane 257, employees walked across the bridge girders on each side of the trolley to inspect the crane while there was a 10 foot, 3 inch opening between the girders, exposing the employees to a fall hazard of approximately 40 feet.  b. On or about August 17, 2017, located at the Coilers in the Hot Strip Mill, there were no guardrails between walkways where employees worked on the floor, thereby exposing the employees to a fall hazard of 6 to 15 feet.  c. On or about September 27, 2017, located on Crane 261 on a footwalk near the operator's cab, there was a 20 inch gap where there were no guardrails to prevent an employee from a fall hazard, thereby exposing employees to a fall of approximately 40 feet

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Feb 16, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(3)(i): (3) Holes.  The employer must ensure: (i) Each employee is protected from falling through any hole (including skylights) that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level by one or more of the following:  (A) Covers; (B) Guardrail systems; (C) Travel restraint systems; or (D) Personal fall arrest systems  a. On or about November 15, 2017, located in the shipping department, employees were replacing a damaged hydraulic cylinder and inspecting a chain conveyor. In order to access the area below the floor, three floor plates were removed, thereby exposing the employees to a fall hazard of approximately 8 feet.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Feb 16, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(3)(iii): (iii) Each employee is protected from falling into a stairway floor hole by a fixed guardrail system on all exposed sides, except at the stairway entrance.         a. On or about November 15, 2017, located in the shipping department, employees were replacing a damaged hydraulic cylinder and inspecting a chain conveyor. In order to access the area below the floor, a floor plate over stairs was removed where there were no guardrails, thereby exposing the employees to a fall hazard of approximately 8 feet.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Feb 16, 2018

Penalty

Initial $8,315 · Current $4,989 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(c): Protection from falling objects.  When an employee is exposed to falling objects, the employer must ensure that each employee wears head protection that meets the requirements of 29 CFR part 1910, subpart I.  In addition, the employer must protect employees from falling objects by implementing one or more of the following:    29 CFR 1910.28(c)(1): (1) Erecting toeboards, screens, or guardrail systems to prevent objects from falling to a lower level;    a. On or about August 23, 2017, located on Crane 257, on a footwalk above the operator's cab there was approximately 20 inches of no toeboard, thereby exposing employees to a struck-by hazard from approximately 40 feet.     b. On or about September 27, 2017, located on Crane 261 on a footwalk near the operator's cab, there was a 20 inch gap where there was no toeboard, thereby exposing employees to a struck-by hazard from approximately 40 feet.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Feb 16, 2018

Penalty

Initial $8,315 · Current $4,989 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.29(b)(1): (1) The top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail system members, are 42 inches (107 cm), plus or minus 3 inches (8 cm), above the walking-working surface.  The top edge height may exceed 45 inches (114 cm), provided the guardrail system meets all other criteria of paragraph (b) of this section (see Figure D-11).  a. On or about August 23, 2017, located on Crane 257, on a footwalk above the operator's cab there was approximately 40 inches opening with no top rail, thereby exposing employees to a fall hazard of approximately 40 feet.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Feb 16, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.29(b)(2): (2) Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, or equivalent intermediate members are installed between the walking-working surface and the top edge of the guardrail system as follows when there is not a wall or parapet that is at least 21 inches (53 cm) high:   a. On or about August 17, 2017, located at the North Shipping Crane, Crane 257, employees accessed the crane from a walkway that had a gap of approximately 26 inches where there were no midrails installed to protect employees from falling, thereby exposing employees to a fall hazard of approximately 40 feet.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Mar 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $9,977 · Current $5,986 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.136(a): General requirements. The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, or when the use of protective footwear will protect the affected employee from an electrical hazard, such as a static-discharge or electric-shock hazard, that remains after the employer takes other necessary protective measures.  a. On or about August 17, 2017, located throughout the facility, the employer failed to ensure that each affected employee wore metatarsal guards when working near heavy material, equipment, machinery, etc., thereby exposing the employees to foot crushing and rolling foot hazards.  b. On August 17, 2017, located in roll shop, employees were rolling a 36 inch grinding wheel while not wearing steel toed boots or metatarsal guards when the wheel tipped over causing crushing injuries to an employee's foot.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Mar 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(i): The employer did not select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment;  a. On or about September 27, 2017, located at the coil banding department, the employer did not ensure all employees wore metatarsals while working near steel coils per the company's hazard assessment, thereby exposing employees to foot crushing injuries.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Mar 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(h)(1): Except as provided by paragraphs (h)(2) through (h)(6) of this section, the protective equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), used to comply with this part, shall be provided by the employer at no cost to employees.  a. On or about August 17, 2017, located throughout the facility, the employer did not provide employees with metatarsal guards to those who were required to wear metatarsal protection.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Apr 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $8,315 · Current $4,989 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.137(c)(2)(viii): Electrical protective equipment shall be subjected to periodic electrical tests. Test voltages and the maximum intervals between tests shall be in accordance with Table I-4 and Table I-5.  a. On or about August 23, 2017, located in the motor room, employees wore rubber insulated gloves while performing electrical work that had not been electrically tested within the last six months, thereby exposing the employees up to an electrical shock hazard of 13,800 VAC.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

May 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $11,641 · Current $6,985 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4): If the employer decides that its employees will enter permit spaces, the employer shall develop and implement a written permit space program that complies with this section. The written program shall be available for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives.  a. On or about September 25, 2017, located at Furnace #2 and Furnace #3, employees were exposed to injury from the hazards associated with permit confined space entry. A written permit confined space entry program that addressed the hazards of entering furnaces had not been developed or implemented.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

May 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(1): Implement the measures necessary to prevent unauthorized entry;  a. On or about September 25, 2017, located at Furnace #2 and Furnace #3, employees were exposed to injury from the hazards associated with permit-required confined space entry. The employer failed to implement protective measures to protect employees from unauthorized entry into the furnaces.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

May 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(2): Identify and evaluate the hazards of permit spaces before employees enter them;  a. On or about September 25, 2017, located at Furnace #2 and Furnace #3, employees were exposed to injury from the hazards associated with permit-required confined space entry. The employer failed to identify and evaluate the hazards within the furnaces prior to employee entry.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

May 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3): Develop and implement the means, procedures, and practices necessary for safe permit space entry operations, including, but not limited to, the following:  (i) Specifying acceptable entry conditions; (ii) Providing each authorized entrant or that employee's authorized representative with the opportunity to observe any monitoring or testing of permit spaces; (iii) Isolating the permit space; (iv) Purging, inerting, flushing, or ventilating the permit space as necessary to eliminate or control atmospheric hazards; (v) Providing pedestrian, vehicle, or other barriers as necessary to protect entrants from external hazards; and  (vi) Verifying that conditions in the permit space are acceptable for entry throughout the duration of an authorized entry.  a. On or about September 25, 2017, located at Furnace #2 and Furnace #3, employees were exposed to injury from the hazards associated with permit-required confined space entry. The employer failed to develop and implement the means procedures, and practices necessary for safe permit space operations that involved entry conditions, observation of air monitoring/testing; isolating the permit space; ventilating the space, as necessary; protecting employees from external hazards; and verifying conditions that were acceptable for entry and to remain acceptable throughout entry.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

May 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(5)(i): Test conditions in the permit space to determine if acceptable entry conditions exist before entry is authorized to begin, except that, if isolation of the space is infeasible because the space is large or is part of a continuous system (such as a sewer), pre-entry testing shall be performed to the extent feasible before entry is authorized and, if entry is authorized, entry conditions shall be continuously monitored in the areas where authorized entrants are working;  a. On or about September 25, 2017, located at Furnace #2 and Furnace #3, the employer did not have the atmosphere tested prior to employees entering a permit required confined space, thereby exposing the employees to a hazardous atmosphere.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

May 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(5)(ii): Test or monitor the permit space as necessary to determine if acceptable entry conditions are being maintained during the course of entry operations; and  a. On or about September 25, 2017, located at Furnace #2 and Furnace #3, the employer did not have the atmosphere tested while employees worked in permit required confined space for two days, thereby exposing the employees to a hazardous atmosphere.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

May 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(6): Provide at least one attendant outside the permit space into which entry is authorized for the duration of entry operations;   a. On or about September 25, 2017, located at Furnace #2 and Furnace #3, employees were cleaning the inside of the furnaces while there were no attendants at either furnace, thereby exposing the employees to additional injury when exposed to the hazards associated with working in furnaces.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

May 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(8): Designate the persons who are to have active roles (as, for example, authorized entrants, attendants, entry supervisors, or persons who test or monitor the atmosphere in a permit space) in entry operations, identify the duties of each such employee, and provide each such employee with the training required by paragraph (g) of this section;  a. On or about September 25, 2017, located at Furnace #2 and Furnace #3, employees were exposed to injury from the hazards associated with permit confined space entry.  The employer failed to designate and train personnel to have roles as authorized entrants, attendants, entry supervisors, persons to test or monitor the atmosphere  when performing cleaning in furnaces.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

May 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(9): Develop and implement procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services, for rescuing entrants from permit spaces, for providing necessary emergency services to rescued employees, and for preventing unauthorized personnel from attempting a rescue;   a. On or about September 25, 2017, located at Furnace #2 and Furnace #3, employees were exposed to injury from the hazards associated with permit-required confined space entry. The employer failed to develop and implement procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services, rescuing entrants from the furnaces, providing necessary emergency services to rescue employees and for preventing unauthorized personnel from attempting a rescue.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

May 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(10): Develop and implement a system for the preparation, issuance, use, and cancellation of entry permits as required by this section;  a. On or about September 25, 2017, located at Furnace #2 and Furnace #3, employees were exposed to injury from the hazards associated with permit confined space entry. The employer failed to develop and implement a system for the preparation, issuance, use and cancellation of entry for employees entering furnaces.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

May 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(e)(1): Before entry is authorized, the employer shall document the completion of measures required by paragraph (d)(3) of this section by preparing an entry permit.   a. On or about September 25, 2017, located and Furnace #2 and Furnace #3, the employer failed to document an entry permit prior to authorizing employees to enter the furnaces, thereby exposing the employees to the hazards associate with confined space entry in the furnaces.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

May 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $11,641 · Current $6,985 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(g)(1): The employer shall provide training so that all employees whose work is regulated by this section acquire the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties assigned under this section.  a. On or about September 25, 2017, located at Furnace #2 and Furnace #3, the employer had not trained employees prior to being assigned to perform cleaning activities inside gas furnaces (permit-required confined space) to ensure the safe performance of assigned duties.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Mar 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $8,315 · Current $4,989 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii): The procedures shall clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to, the following:   a. On or about August 17, 2017, located at Table 4, Roll 4-21, the company used a checklist for employees to perform lockout/tagout activities that did not include a specific statement of intended use, specific procedural steps for shutting down, all steps of isolating the energy isolating devices and the order of isolating. The checklist also did not include specific procedural steps for the placement, removal and transfer of lockout devices and how to verify the effectiveness of the lockout devices, thereby exposing the employees to the hazards associated with performing lockout activities on the Table 4 rollers.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Mar 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $8,315 · Current $4,989 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer shall provide training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program are understood by employees and that the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of the energy controls are acquired by employees. The training shall include the following:   a. On or about August 17, 2017, located throughout the facility, employees performed service and maintenance activities where energy isolating devices were shutoff and locks applied while the employees performing the work were not provided with training for the safe application, usage, and removal of energy controls, thereby exposing the employees to the hazards associated with machines and equipment and their sources of energy.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Mar 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $8,315 · Current $4,989 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(D): Each authorized employee shall affix a personal lockout or tagout device to the group lockout device, group lockbox, or comparable mechanism when he or she begins work, and shall remove those devices when he or she stops working on the machine or equipment being serviced or maintained.   a. On or about August 17, 2017, located at Table 4, Roll 4-21, the employer did not ensure that all employees involved in the removal of the 4-pack in order to remove the bearing housing to test motor were protected by their own locks affixed to a group lockout device, thereby exposing the employees to an unexpected startup of the equipment.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Mar 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $11,641 · Current $6,985 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1): The employer shall provide portable fire extinguishers and shall mount, locate and identify them so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury.   a. On or about August 17, 2017, located near the banding station, there was a fire extinguisher that was mounted but not identified of its location, thereby exposing the employees to a fire hazard.    b. On or about August 17, 2017, located at Crane 257, there was a fire extinguisher located on the landing above the cab that was not mounted and identified, thereby exposing the employees to a fire hazard.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Mar 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(4): The employer shall assure that portable fire extinguishers are maintained in a fully charged and operable condition and kept in their designated places at all times except during use.    a. On or about August 17, 2017, located below the furnace pulpit, the employer did not ensure the fire extinguisher was maintained in a fully charged and operable condition, thereby exposing employees to the hazards associated with a fire.  b. On or about August 17, 2017, located on the emergency island near the furnace pulpit, the employer did not ensure the fire extinguisher was maintained in a fully charged and operable condition, thereby exposing the employees to the hazards associated with a fire.   c. On or about August 17, 2017, located on a steel column under the roughing mill pulpit, the employer did not ensure the fire extinguisher was maintained in a fully charged and operable condition, thereby exposing the employees to the hazards associated with a fire.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Mar 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(e)(2): Portable extinguishers or hose used in lieu thereof under paragraph (d)(3) of this section shall be visually inspected monthly.   a. On or about August 17, 2017, located throughout the facility, the employer did not ensure that all fire extinguishers were visually inspected monthly, thereby exposing employees to fire hazards.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Feb 16, 2018

Penalty

Initial $8,315 · Current $4,989 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in cabinets, boxes, and fittings shall be effectively closed.   a. On or about August 17, 2017, located at the Coil and Plate Storage Building, there was an electrical panel box that had multiple breakers missing with the unused openings not covered, thereby exposing the employees to an electrical shock hazard of 480 volts and/or arc flash incident.   b. On or about August 17, 2017, located Coil and Plate Storage Building, there was an electrical panel box that had a breaker missing with the unused opening not covered, thereby exposing the employees to an electrical shock hazard of 480 volts and/or arc flash incident.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

May 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $11,641 · Current $6,985 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.332(b)(1): Practices addressed in this standard. Employees shall be trained in and familiar with the safety-related work practices required by 1910.331 through 1910.335 that pertain to their respective job assignments.  a. On or about August 17, 2017, located throughout the facility, employees performed electrical work without being trained on safety-related work practices, thereby exposing employees to electrical shock and arc flash/blast hazards.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

May 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.332(b)(3): Additional requirements for qualified persons. Qualified persons (i.e. those permitted to work on or near exposed energized parts) shall, at a minimum, be trained in and familiar with the following:  (i) The skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed live parts from other parts of electric equipment, (ii) The skills and techniques necessary to determine the nominal voltage of exposed live parts, and  (iii) The clearance distances specified in 1910.333(c) and the corresponding voltages to which the qualified person will be exposed.    a. On or about August 17, 2017, located throughout the facility, qualified employees performed electrical work without being trained to distinguish exposed live parts from other parts of electrical equipment, determine nominal voltage of exposed live parts and safe clearance distances with exposed corresponding voltages, thereby exposing employees to electrical shock and arc flash/blast hazards.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Mar 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $11,641 · Current $6,985 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(i): Employees working in areas where there are potential electrical hazards shall be provided with, and shall use, electrical protective equipment that is appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed.    a. On or about August 17, 2017, located throughout the facility, employees performing electrical work were not provided with and did not use adequate personal protective equipment, i.e. rubber insulated gloves, thereby exposing the employees to an electrical shock and/or arc flash hazards of 480 vac.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Feb 16, 2018

Penalty

Initial $1,663 · Current $998 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.4(a): Basic requirement. Each employer required by this Part to keep records of fatalities, injuries, and illnesses must record each fatality, injury and illness that was work-related, a new case, and meets one or more of the general recording criteria:  Located at Acero Junction, Inc. in Mingo Junction, Ohio: On or about August 24, 2017, the employer did not record the following workplace injuries and illnesses on the OSHA 300 Log for calendar year 2017.  a. On or about August 17, 2017, an employee received four broken toes and a laceration to the big toe on the left foot from a 36 inch grinding wheel.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Feb 16, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.  a. On or about September 27, 2017, located at the Hot Strip Rolling Department, the employer did not verify when the required hazard assessment as evaluated, the person certifying the evaluation and did not identify itself as a certification of hazard assessment.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Mar 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)(i): Refresher training, including an evaluation of the effectiveness of that training, shall be conducted as required by paragraph (l)(4)(ii) to ensure that the operator has the knowledge and skills needed to operate the powered industrial truck safely.  29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)(ii)(D): The operator is assigned to drive a different type of truck; or   a. On or about August 17, 2017, located in the coil yard, the employer failed to ensure that the employees operating a Taylor TX650L, serial number S JG 37561 forklift had refresher training prior to operation.

Issued

Jan 29, 2018

Abate by

Feb 16, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.253(b)(2)(ii): Inside of buildings, cylinders shall be stored in a well-protected, well-ventilated, dry location, at least 20 (6.1 m) feet from highly combustible materials such as oil or excelsior. Cylinders should be stored in definitely assigned places away from elevators, stairs, or gangways. Assigned storage spaces shall be located where cylinders will not be knocked over or damaged by passing or falling objects, or subject to tampering by unauthorized persons. Cylinders shall not be kept in unventilated enclosures such as lockers and cupboards.  a. On or about August 17, 2017, located in the coil and plate storage building, the employer did not ensure that an oxygen cylinder was secured to prevent it from being knocked over.