OSHA Inspection: CF&I STEEL, L.P.

Issued

Nov 19, 2021

Abate by

Jan 10, 2022

Penalty

Initial $13,653 · Current $13,653

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 explosion hazards:  (a) On or about  May 29, 2021, and at times prior, employees were exposed to explosion hazards in that the employer failed to develop and implement effective controls to prevent the introduction of water into molten metal within the #5 Electric Arc Furnace (EAF).  At least three workers suffered serious burns when a balcony cooling panel on the #5 EAF leaked a large quantity of water into molten steel and caused an explosion.   Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Nov 19, 2021

Abate by

Jan 10, 2022

Penalty

Initial $13,653 · Current $13,653

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 thermal and struck-by hazards:  (a) On or about  May 29, 2021, and at times prior, employees were exposed to thermal and struck-by hazards in that the employer failed to identify and guard the hazard zone around the #5 Electric Arc Furnace allowing workers to enter hazardous areas, including but not limited to the area in front of the slag door of the furnace.  The hazard zone on and around the furnace was not clearly marked and there were no physical guards to prevent workers from entering the furnace area during operations.    Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Nov 19, 2021

Abate by

Jan 10, 2022

Penalty

Initial $13,653 · Current $13,653

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.120(q)(1): The employer did not develop and implement an emergency response plan to handle anticipated emergencies prior to commencement of emergency response operations:    (a) On or about  May 29, 2021, and at times prior, employees were exposed to explosion, thermal and struck-by hazards in that the employer failed to develop and implement an effective emergency response plan to handle anticipated emergencies prior to commencement of emergency response operations during a series of explosions caused by the presence of water introduction into molten metal that occurred in the #5 Electric Arc Furnace.  Personnel were directed to perform response activities related to the explosions.   Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Nov 19, 2021

Abate by

Feb 28, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.120(q)(2)(ix): The emergency response plan did not address, to the extent not addressed elsewhere, emergency alerting and response procedures:   (a) On or about  May 29, 2021, and at times prior, employees were exposed to explosion, thermal and struck-by hazards in that the employer failed to  provide an effective emergency alerting and response process, such as but not limited to, an audible and visual signal system for warning workers of danger, during a series of explosions caused by water introduction into molten metal that occurred in the #5 Electric Arc Furnace. At least three workers suffered serious injuries during the explosion where workers were not effectively warned to evacuate the furnace floor.   Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Nov 19, 2021

Abate by

Jan 10, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.120(q)(2)(xi): The emergency response plan did not address, to the extent not addressed elsewhere,  personal protective equipment and emergency equipment:     (a) On or about  May 29, 2021, and at times prior, employees were exposed to explosion, thermal and struck-by hazards in that the employer failed to develop and implement an effective emergency response plan that addressed personal protective equipment (PPE) that would be necessary for employees to use during response activities.   The employer did not ensure that proper PPE was used by workers entering  hazardous areas, including but not limited to the area in front of the slag door, on the #5 Electric Arc Furnace during emergency response activities.