OSHA Inspection: FRANCIS MANUFACTURING COMPANY

Issued

Nov 29, 2022

Abate by

Jan 19, 2023

Penalty

Initial $13,052 · Current $7,831 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act: 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 not protected from the hazard of high ambient heat while performing jobs duties.  Francis Manufacturing Company located at 500 East Main Street in Russia, Ohio 45363;  On or about June 1, 2022, and times prior, employees of  Francis Manufacturing Company were exposed to hazard of excessive heat from furnaces and molten metal during the performance of their job duties, including packing sand molds, pouring molten metal into assembled molds, and breaking apart the castings from the mold.   A)	On June 1, 2022, the outdoor maximum dry bulb temperature during the work shift was approximately 88 degrees F, with 70% mean relative humidity. An employee manually breaking apart sand molds in the shake out area, collapsed and passed away due to heatstroke.  Emergency medical services were summoned, resuscitation efforts were administered, but the employee was pronounced dead at the hospital.  B)	On June 1, 2022, the outdoor maximum dry bulb temperature during the work shift was recorded at approximately 88 degrees F, with 70% mean relative humidity.  An employee was pouring molten metal into molds and felt weak, experiencing cramping, after the first break at approximately 08:40 AM. The employee set the bucket/ladle down and had to sit down. The employee was given cool cloths and was allowed to leave work and recover at home.  C)	On May 31, 2022, the outdoor maximum dry bulb temperature during the work shift was recorded at approximately 88 degrees F, with 43% mean relative humidity. On May 31, 2022 an employee experienced weakness and fatigue while working in the molding department.  The employee completed the day, returned to work on June 1, 2022 and began to experience similar symptoms at approximately 10:30 am. The employee recovered the cool environment of break room upon hydration and rest.