OSHA Inspection: CLEVELAND - CLIFFS CLEVELAND WORKS, LLC

Issued

2022-10-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-11-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $8287.00 · Current $8287.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).  On or about May 10, 2022, the employer failed to assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of PPE for employees working in the #2 steel producing lime belt area. Employees are exposed to respiratory hazards from the elevated Quicklime dust present in the air without being required to wear respiratory protection.

Issued

2022-10-26 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(d)(1)(iii): The employer did not identify and evaluate the respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace; including a reasonable estimate of employee exposures to respiratory hazards and identification of the contaminant's chemical state and physical form.  On or about May 10, 2022, the employer failed to identify and evaluate the respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace for the employees working the limebelt in the #2 steel producing area who are exposed to airborne Quicklime particulates generated during transport of the material on the conveyor belt.

Issued

2022-10-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-11-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $8287.00 · Current $8287.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.151(c): Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.  On or about May 10, 2022, the employer failed to provide suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials such as Quicklime. Employees perform job duties in the #2 steel producing limebelt area where they are exposed to high levels of Quicklime dust generation in the air.

Issued

2022-10-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-11-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12431.00 · Current $5500.00 Reduced

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.  a. On or about July 19, 2022, an employee performing ladle lining activities in the #1 steel producing area was exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust) at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 18.6 mg/m3 during the 455 minute sampling period. This is 1.24 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3. Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 25 minutes not sampled.  b. On or about July 19, 2022, an employee performing ladle lining activities in the #1 steel producing area was exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust) at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 16.5 mg/m3 during the 318 minute sampling period. This is 1.1 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3. Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 162 minutes not sampled.  c. On or about July 19, 2022, an employee performing material handling  activities in the limebelt area was exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust) at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 17.1 mg/m3 during the 469 minute sampling period. This is 1.14 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3. Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 11 minutes not sampled.

Issued

2022-10-26 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-11-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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).  a.  On or about July 19, 2022, an employee performing ladle lining activities in the #1 steel producing area was exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust) at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 18.6 mg/m3 during the 455 minute sampling period. This is 1.24 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3. Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 25 minutes not sampled. Engineering controls were not effectively utilized to achieve compliance with the limits prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.1000(a) through (d).   Controls usually applicable in these circumstances include but are not limited to:  1. Local ventilation effectively installed in the ladle area.  Step 1: Submit to the Area Director a written detailed plan of abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and/or administrative measure to control employee exposure to air contaminants as referenced in this citation. This plan shall include, at a minimum, target dates for the following actions which must be consistent with the dates required by this citation:  1. Evaluation of engineering control options  2. Selection of optimum control method and completion of design  3. Procurement, installation, and operation of selected control measures  4. Testing and acceptance or modification/redesign of controls  Step 2: All proposed control measures shall be evaluated for each particular use by a competent industrial hygienist or other technically qualified person. Proposed control measures selected should be appropriate to the type of material present. Thirty day progress reports are required during the abatement period. Abatement must be completed by 30 days.  Step 3: Abatement should be completed by the implementation of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls including verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance. Abatement must be completed by 60 days.  b.  On or about July 19, 2022, an employee performing ladle lining activities in the #1 steel producing area was exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust) at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 16.5 mg/m3 during the 318 minute sampling period. This is 1.1 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3. Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 162 minutes not sampled. Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 271 minutes not sampled. Engineering controls were not effectively utilized to achieve compliance with the limits prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.1000(a) through (d).   Controls usually applicable in these circumstances include but are not limited to:  1. Local ventilation effectively installed in the ladle area.  Step 1: Submit to the Area Director a written detailed plan of abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and/or administrative measure to control employee exposure to air contaminants as referenced in this citation. This plan shall include, at a minimum, target dates for the following actions which must be consistent with the dates required by this citation:  1. Evaluation of engineering control options  2. Selection of optimum control method and completion of design  3. Procurement, installation, and operation of selected control measures  4. Testing and acceptance or modification/redesign of controls  Step 2: All proposed control measures shall be evaluated for each particular use by a competent industrial hygienist or other technically qualified person. Proposed control measures selected should be appropriate to the type of material present. Thirty day progress reports are required during the abatement period. Abatement must be completed by 30 days.  Step 3: Abatement should be completed by the implementation of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls including verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance. Abatement must be completed by 60 days.  c. On or about July 19, 2022, an employee performing material handling  activities in the limebelt area was exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust) at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 17.1 mg/m3 during the 469 minute sampling period. This is 1.14 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 mg/m3. Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 11 minutes not sampled. Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 271 minutes not sampled. Engineering controls were not effectively utilized to achieve compliance with the limits prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.1000(a) through (d).    Controls usually applicable in these circumstances include but are not limited to:  1. Local ventilation effectively installed in the limebelt area.  2. Enclosing the conveyor system.  Step 1: Submit to the Area Director a written detailed plan of abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and/or administrative measure to control employee exposure to air contaminants as referenced in this citation. This plan shall include, at a minimum, target dates for the following actions which must be consistent with the dates required by this citation:  1. Evaluation of engineering control options  2. Selection of optimum control method and completion of design  3. Procurement, installation, and operation of selected control measures  4. Testing and acceptance or modification/redesign of controls  Step 2: All proposed control measures shall be evaluated for each particular use by a competent industrial hygienist or other technically qualified person. Proposed control measures selected should be appropriate to the type of material present. Thirty day progress reports are required during the abatement period. Abatement must be completed by 30 days.  Step 3: Abatement should be completed by the implementation of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls including verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance. Abatement must be completed by 60 days.