OSHA Inspection: ZEKELMAN INDUSTRIES, INC.

Issued

Jul 6, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $15,625

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.28(b)(6)(i):The employer did not ensure that each employee less than 4 feet (1.2 m) above dangerous equipment is protected from falling into or onto the dangerous equipment by a guardrail system or a travel restraint system, unless the equipment is covered or guarded to eliminate the hazard:   a.)	Zekelman Industries, Inc. dba Wheatland Tube Company, Pot 2 area next to the "zinc snout", on or about January 6th, 2023 and times prior thereto:  Employees worked around molten zinc during a job task which involved employees searching for a potentially missing blow bell in the Pot # 2 area.  Employees were not protected from falling into the molten zinc located in the "zinc snout area" of Pot #2 during this search operation.  An incident occurred on January 6th, 2023 which resulted in an employee stepping into the open area of the zinc snout and suffering permanent injuries.   b.)	Zekelman Industries, Inc. dba Wheatland Tube Company, Pot 2 area next to the "zinc snout", on or about January 12th, 2023 and times prior thereto:  Employees worked around molten zinc during cleaning operations of the blow box area.  Employees were not protected from falling into the molten zinc located in the "zinc snout area" of Pot #2 during cleaning operations of the blow box area.

Issued

Jul 6, 2023

Abate by

Sep 29, 2023

Penalty

Initial $10,436 · Current $3,375 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(d): The established procedure for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) did not cover the actions listed in and was not done in sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1)-(6):  a.)	Zekelman Industries, Inc. dba Wheatland Tube Company, Pot 2 area-cross travel/cooling rack area, on or about January 6th, 2023 and times prior thereto:  Employees did not lockout the Pot#2 cross-travel/cooling rack conveyor while searching for a potential missing blow bell.  Employees were potentially exposed to moving parts including, but not limited to, various conveyor parts due to that fact that  lockout/tagout was not performed prior to entering the cross travel/cooling rack area.  In addition, employees were exposed to a potential moving conveyor while accessing the area.   b.)	Zekelman Industries, Inc. dba Wheatland Tube Company, Pot 2 area-cross travel/cooling rack area, on or about January 12th, 2023 and times prior thereto:  Employees did not lockout the Pot#2 cross-travel/cooling rack conveyor while performing work tasks including, but not limited to, maneuvering and fixing various pipes that were displaced during the cooling process on the cross travel/cooling rack area.  Employees were potentially exposed to moving parts including, but not limited to, various conveyor parts due to that fact that lockout/tagout was not performed prior to entering the cross travel/cooling rack area. In addition, employees were exposed to a potential moving conveyor while accessing the area.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation (see below). This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jul 6, 2023

Abate by

Aug 18, 2023

Penalty

Initial $12,523 · Current $8,000 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:   a.)	Zekelman Industries, Inc. dba Wheatland Tube Company, Pot 2 area next to the "cross travel", on or about January 12th, 2023 and times prior thereto:  Employees were exposed to caught in or between hazards while performing work operations directly next to the chain and sprocket associated with the "cross travel" or "cooling rack".  The unused portion of the chain and sprocket/chain conveyor and return side associated with the "cross travel" was not protected by a guard to prevent employees from accessing the area.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation (see below). This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.