OSHA Inspection: REPUBLIC STEEL

Issued

Aug 27, 2021

Abate by

Feb 28, 2022

Penalty

Initial $13,653 · Current $8,192 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A):Authorized employee(s) did not receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation:  On or about April 5, 2021 the employer failed to ensure that employees tasked with servicing and maintaining equipment at the facility had received authorized training in the control of hazardous energies. Employees who perform size changes and setup of the straightener in the QVL department had not received training on  the control of hazardous energies. Hazardous energies present on the equipment include but not limited to pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical.

Issued

Aug 27, 2021

Abate by

Feb 28, 2022

Penalty

Initial $13,653 · Current $8,192 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(l)(1)(i):The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l):  On or about June 21, 2021 the employer failed to ensure that employees tasked with operating the Hyster Fork Truck (Big Red) were trained in the safe use and operation of the vehicle prior to operating it. An employee assigned from one department to another department was tasked with operation of the vehicle without supervision or having completed a training program.

Issued

Aug 27, 2021

Abate by

Feb 28, 2022

Penalty

Initial $13,653 · Current $8,192 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.179(b)(8):Employee(s) other than designated personnel were permitted to operate crane(s):  On or about June 22, 2021 the employer failed to ensure that only designated personnel were permitted to operate the overhead cab operated 25 ton crane located in the #5 steel conditioning department. An employee was tasked with operating the crane who had not received any formal training from the company or observed as having knowledge of the crane tasked with operating.

Issued

Aug 27, 2021

Penalty

Initial $9,753 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.179(l)(3)(i):Unsafe condition(s) disclosed during the frequent or periodic inspection(s) required by 29 CFR 1910.179(j) were not corrected before operation of the crane(s) was resumed:  On or about April 5, 2021 the employer failed to ensure that unsafe conditions of the #296 overhead cab operated crane located in the QVL department was repaired prior to being utilized again after unsafe conditions were identified. The cab of the crane contained multiple glass windows that were shattered or cracked impairing the vision of the operators.

Issued

Aug 27, 2021

Abate by

Sep 30, 2021

Penalty

Initial $13,653 · Current $8,192 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(1):One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator 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:  On or about April 5, 2021 the employer failed to ensure that effective machine guarding was in place on the F&C table area located in the QVL department. Light curtains which were installed to protect employees from the automatic movement of the table arms and steel itself were not functioning. Employees on a daily basis, when needed, work directly in the area to free misaligned production bars on the table as well as separate bars which were not singularly picked.

Issued

Aug 27, 2021

Abate by

Sep 30, 2021

Penalty

Initial $13,653 · Current $8,192 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(d)(1):Pulley(s) with part(s) seven feet or less from the floor or work platform were not guarded in accordance with the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.219(m) and (o):  a) On or about April 5, 2021 the employer failed to ensure that effective machine guarding was in place to protect employees from the ingoing nip points of the numerous belt and pulley systems located in the non-destructive testing room (NDT room). Barrier guarding was not in place on the outgoing feed belt and pulleys of the Nova table.   b) On or about April 5, 2021 the employer failed to ensure that effective machine guarding was in place to protect employees from the ingoing nip points of the numerous belt and pulley systems located in the non-destructive testing room (NDT room). Barrier guarding was not in place on the  belt and pulleys of the backside of the GE table.   c) On or about April 5, 2021 the employer failed to ensure that effective machine guarding was in place to protect employees from the ingoing nip points  belt and pulley systems of the belt drive for the chamfer. Barrier guarding was not in place on the hazard area located on the runoff table from the straightener to the F&C table.

Issued

Aug 27, 2021

Abate by

Sep 30, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,851 · Current $3,510 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A):Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:  On or about April 5, 2021 the employer failed to ensure that the flexible cords were not used in lieu of permanent wiring of equipment. A flexible cord was used to provide power to a motor located on the backside of the GE table in the NDT room.

Issued

Aug 27, 2021

Abate by

Sep 30, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(g)(2)(ii):Flexible cords were not used only in continuous lengths without splice or tap:  On or about April 5, 2021 the employer failed to ensure that flexible cords did not contain splices or taps. A flexible electrical cord used to supply power to the motor on the backside of the GE table contained spices and taps on both ends of the cord.

Issued

Aug 27, 2021

Abate by

Sep 30, 2021

Penalty

Initial $136,530 · Current $81,918 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):  On or about April 5, 2021 the employer did not ensure that the electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, and pneumatic energy disconnects for the straightener line, located in the QVL area,  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. Employees were tasked with performing size changes  and set up operations on the equipment without the control of hazardous energies taking place.  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 1102490, citation number 1, item number 2a and was affirmed as a final order on January 18, 2017 with respect to a workplace located at 2633 8TH Street NE, Canton, OH.  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.

Issued

Aug 27, 2021

Abate by

Sep 30, 2021

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:   On or about April 5, 2021 lockout procedures were not utilized during size change operations of the Straightener line located in the QVL department.  Employees performing size changes and setting up of the equipment as needed. Isolating devices were not affixed to the electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, and pneumatic energy sources of the equipment during these activities.   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 1102490, citation number 1, item number 2b and was affirmed as a final order on January 18, 2017 with respect to a workplace located at 2633 8TH Street NE, Canton, OH.  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 1195209, citation number 2, item number 1c and was affirmed as a final order on June 18, 2018 with respect to a workplace located at 2633 8TH Street NE, Canton, OH.  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.

Issued

Aug 27, 2021

Abate by

Nov 1, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.22(a)(3): The employer did not ensure that walking-working surfaces are maintained free of hazards such as sharp or protruding objects, loose boards, corrosion, leaks, spills, snow, and ice.  On or about April 5, 2021 the employer failed to ensure that the walking-working area located near 35N door between Bay 21 North and 27 North of the QVL area was free of protruding objects. Remnants of previously installed metal posts and footers projected from the floor in multiple areas. The projections contained varied heights from the floor between 1/4" and 1 1/2" creating trip hazards.

Issued

Aug 27, 2021

Abate by

Nov 1, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(b)(6):Each exit sign was not illuminated to a surface value of at least five foot-candles (54 lux) by a reliable light source and be distinctive in color:  On or about April 5, 2021 the employer failed to ensure that emergency exit doors located in the QVL area of the facility contained illuminated signage describing them as such and for identification in the event of an emergency. Exit doors within the area only contained hand painted lettering on the door.

Issued

Aug 27, 2021

Abate by

Nov 1, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(e)(3):Portable fire extinguishers were not subjected to an annual maintenance check:.  Maintenance check includes an internal examination, except extinguishers with stored pressure.  On or about April 5, 2021 the employer failed to ensure that portable fire extinguishers located throughout the QVL department had not received annual maintenance checks as required. Multiple fire extinguishers available to employees in the area had last been inspected in 2015.