OSHA Inspection: REPUBLIC STEEL

Issued

Jan 13, 2023

Abate by

Mar 9, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $8,701 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): Employee(s) using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator were not annually fit tested:   On or about July 18, 2022, employees required to wear respirators, including but not limited to tight-fitting half-face respirators during leaded steel production heats, have not received annual fit testing.

Issued

Jan 13, 2023

Abate by

Mar 9, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A): Respirators with tight-fitting facepieces were worn by employees who had facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interfered with valve function:  On or about July 18, 2022, the employer failed to ensure that employees required to wear tight-fitting half-face respirators did not have facial hair that would interfere with the seal of the facepiece and the face.

Issued

Jan 13, 2023

Abate by

Mar 9, 2023

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $8,701 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(g)(2)(iv): Protective clothing against lead was not removed at the completion of the work shift in change rooms provided for that purpose as prescribed in  29 CFR 1910.1025(i)(2):   The employer failed to ensure employees removed their protective clothing at the completion of their work shift in change rooms provided by the employer.   a)  On or about November 8, 2022, an employee working in the Tripper Car was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 381.7 �g/m3 during the 325 minute sampling period. This is 7.635 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 155 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Jan 13, 2023

Abate by

Mar 9, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1025(i)(3)(i): Employee(s) exposed to lead in excess of the permissible exposure limit (PEL), without regard to the use of respirators, were not required to shower at the end of the work shift:   The employer failed to ensure employees shower at the completion of their work shift in change rooms provided by the employer.   a)  On or about November 8, 2022, an employee working in the Tripper Car was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 381.7 �g/m3 during the 325 minute sampling period. This is 7.635 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 155 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Jan 13, 2023

Abate by

Mar 9, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1025(i)(3)(iii): The employer did not ensure that employees who were required to shower per 29 CFR 1910.1025(i)(3)i) did not leave the workplace wearing any clothing or equipment worn during the work shift:   The employer failed to ensure employees did not leave the workplace wearing protective clothing worn during their work shift :  a)  On or about November 8, 2022, an employee working in the Tripper Car was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 381.7 �g/m3 during the 325 minute sampling period. This is 7.635 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 155 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Jan 13, 2023

Abate by

Mar 9, 2023

Penalty

Initial $11,396 · Current $6,838 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(n)(4)(ii): Environmental monitoring, medical removal and medical records required by 29 CFR 1910.1025 for exposure to lead was not provided upon request to employee(s), designated representative, or the Assistant Secretary:  On or about July 18, 2022, the employer failed to establish and maintain an accurate record for each employee subject to medical surveillance  due to their exposure to lead.

Issued

Jan 13, 2023

Abate by

Jan 13, 2025

Penalty

Initial $31,904 · Current $19,142 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1025(c)(1): Employee(s) were exposed to lead at concentrations greater than fifty micrograms per cubic meter of air averaged over an eight-hour period:  a.  On or about November 8, 2022, an employee working the Degas in the Flex Refining was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 77.9 �g/m3 during the 434 minute sampling period. This is 1.56 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 13 minutes not sampled.   b.  On or about November 8, 2022, an employee working on the ladle deck in the Flex Casting was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 89.7 �g/m3 during the 412 minute sampling period. This is 1.79 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 68 minutes not sampled.   c.  On or about November 8, 2022, an employee working in the Tripper Car was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 381.7 �g/m3 during the 325 minute sampling period. This is 7.635 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 155 minutes not sampled.   Republic Steel was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.1025(c)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1196888, citation number 1, item number 3c and was affirmed as a final order on June 18, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 2633 8th Street NE, Canton, OH 44704.

Issued

Jan 13, 2023

Abate by

Jan 13, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1025(e)(1)(i): For any employees exposed to lead above the permissible exposure limit for more than 30 days per year the employer did not implement engineering and work practice controls (including administrative controls) were not implemented to reduce and maintain employee exposure to lead:  a.  On or about November 8, 2022, an employee working the Degas in the Flex Refining was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 77.9 �g/m3 during the 434 minute sampling period. This is 1.56 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 13 minutes not sampled.   b.  On or about November 8, 2022, an employee working on the ladle deck in the Flex Casting was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 89.7 �g/m3 during the 412 minute sampling period. This is 1.79 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 68 minutes not sampled.   c.  On or about November 8, 2022, an employee working in the Tripper Car was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 381.7 �g/m3 during the 325 minute sampling period. This is 7.635 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 155 minutes not sampled.   Engineering controls were not utilized to reduce employee exposure to lead below the OSHA permissible exposure limit.  Republic Steel was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard (29 CFR 1910.1025(e)(1)(i)), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1196888, citation number 1, item number 3 and was affirmed as a final order on June 18, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 2633 8th Street NE, Canton, OH 44704.

Issued

Jan 13, 2023

Abate by

Mar 9, 2023

Penalty

Initial $145,027 · Current $87,016 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(h)(1): All surfaces were not maintained as free as practicable of accumulations of lead:  Employees are not protected from lead exposure during their work shift. Surfaces in employee work areas including, but not limited to pulpits and canteens are contaminated with lead.   On about September 14, 2022, wipe samples were taken from locations throughout the Flex Casting, Flex Refining, and Tripper Car areas. Analytical results indicated the presence of lead, as follows:  a.  Canteen computer station  -  2366 �g/ft2  b.  Cast Pour pulpit workstation  -  4622 �g/ft2  c.  Flex Refining pulpit workstation  -  2181 �g/ft2  d.  Tripper Car tram workstation  -  704 �g/ft2  Republic Steel was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.1025(h)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 942968, citation number 2 item number 1b, and was affirmed as a final order on April 21, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 8633 8th Street NE, Canton, Ohio, 44704.  Republic Steel was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.1025(h)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 982405, citation number 1, item number 2b, and was affirmed as a final order on October 15, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 1807 East 28th Street, Lorain, Ohio, 44055.  Republic Steel was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.1025(h)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1196888, citation number 2, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on June 18, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 2633 8th Street NE, Canton, OH 44704.

Issued

Jan 13, 2023

Abate by

May 9, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1025(i)(1): The employer did not ensure that food or beverage was not present, or consumed; tobacco products were not present, or used and cosmetics were not applied in areas where employees were exposed to lead in excess of the permissible exposure limit:  The employer permits employees working in the flex casting, flex pour, and tripper car to consume food and beverages in their work area   including pulpits and the tripper car tram while exposed to the permissible exposure limit of 50 �g/m3.   a.  On or about November 8, 2022, an employee working the Degas in the Flex Refining was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 77.9 �g/m3 during the 434 minute sampling period. This is 1.56 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 13 minutes not sampled.   b.  On or about November 8, 2022, an employee working on the ladle deck in the Flex Casting was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 89.7 �g/m3 during the 412 minute sampling period. This is 1.79 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 68 minutes not sampled.   c.  On or about November 8, 2022, an employee working in the Tripper Car was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 381.7 �g/m3 during the 325 minute sampling period. This is 7.635 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 155 minutes not sampled.   Republic Steel was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.1025(j)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1196888, citation number 1, item number 4a and was affirmed as a final order on June 18, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 2633 8th Street NE, Canton, OH 44704.

Issued

Jan 13, 2023

Abate by

May 9, 2023

Penalty

Initial $31,904 · Current $19,142 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(i)(4)(ii): Lunchroom facilities for employee(s) exposed to lead in excess of the permissible exposure limit (PEL), without regard to the use of respirators, were not readily accessible to employee(s):  Employees in the  flex casting, flex pour, and tripper car are exposed to lead over the permissible exposure limit of 50 �g/m3 and are unable to access a lunchroom facility. Employees are instead permitted to eat in pulpits and canteens which are in the work area where overexposures occur.  a.  On or about November 8, 2022, an employee working the Degas in the Flex Refining was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 77.9 �g/m3 during the 434 minute sampling period. This is 1.56 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 13 minutes not sampled.   b.  On or about November 8, 2022, an employee working on the ladle deck in the Flex Casting was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 89.7 �g/m3 during the 412 minute sampling period. This is 1.79 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 68 minutes not sampled.   c.  On or about November 8, 2022, an employee working in the Tripper Car was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 381.7 �g/m3 during the 325 minute sampling period. This is 7.635 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 155 minutes not sampled.  Republic Steel was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.1025(i)(4)(ii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1196888, citation number 1, item number 4b and was affirmed as a final order on June 18, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 2633 8th Street NE, Canton, OH 44704.

Issued

Jan 13, 2023

Abate by

May 9, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(i)(4)(iii): Employee(s) exposed to lead in excess of the permissible exposure limit (PEL), without regard to the use of respirators, were not required to wash their hands and face prior to eating, drinking, smoking or applying cosmetics:   Employees in the  flex casting, flex pour, and tripper car are exposed to lead over the permissible exposure limit of 50 �g/m3 and are unable to access a lunchroom facility. Employees are instead permitted to eat in pulpits and canteens which are in the work area where overexposures occur.  a.  On or about November 8, 2022, an employee working the Degas in the Flex Refining was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 77.9 �g/m3 during the 434 minute sampling period. This is 1.56 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 13 minutes not sampled.   b.  On or about November 8, 2022, an employee working on the ladle deck in the Flex Casting was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 89.7 �g/m3 during the 412 minute sampling period. This is 1.79 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 68 minutes not sampled.   c.  On or about November 8, 2022, an employee working in the Tripper Car was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 381.7 �g/m3 during the 325 minute sampling period. This is 7.635 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 155 minutes not sampled.  Republic Steel was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.1025(i)(4)(ii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1196888, citation number 1, item number 4b and was affirmed as a final order on June 18, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 2633 8th Street NE, Canton, OH 44704.

Issued

Jan 13, 2023

Abate by

Jun 9, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(i)(4)(iv): Employees entering lunchroom facilities with protective work clothing or equipment were not required to remove surface lead dust by vacuuming, downdraft booth, or other cleaning method(s):  Employees enter the flex refining pulpit and canteen, flex casting pulpit, and tripper car tram where food and drink is consumed, throughout the day without first removing surface lead dust prior to entering.  a.  On or about November 8, 2022, an employee working the Degas in the Flex Refining was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 77.9 �g/m3 during the 434 minute sampling period. This is 1.56 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 13 minutes not sampled.   b.  On or about November 8, 2022, an employee working on the ladle deck in the Flex Casting was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 89.7 �g/m3 during the 412 minute sampling period. This is 1.79 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 68 minutes not sampled.   c.  On or about November 8, 2022, an employee working in the Tripper Car was exposed to lead at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 381.7 �g/m3 during the 325 minute sampling period. This is 7.635 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 �g/m3.  Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 155 minutes not sampled.  Republic Steel was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard (name previously cited standard), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1196888, citation number 1, item number 4c and was affirmed as a final order on June 18, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 2633 8th Street NE, Canton, OH 44704.