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

Issued

May 14, 2024

Abate by

Jun 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $10,000 Reduced

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 in that employees were exposed to crushing hazards while operating deficient cranes with underhung hoists:    b)  On or before January 23, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure jib cranes with underhung hoists in the Metlab location were inspected before the beginning of each shift when operated daily by employees.  This condition exposed employees to crushing hazards.  Abatement Note: a)  Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to follow the guidelines in ASME B30.16-2022 - Overhead Underhung and Stationary Hoists - 2022, Section 16-1.1.1 Rated Load, states, "The rated load of the hoist shall be marked on the hoist or its load block and shall be legible from the ground or floor."    b)  Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to follow the guidelines in ASME B30.16-2022 - Overhead Underhung and Stationary Hoists, Section 16-2.14 Frequent Inspection, paragraph (c) states:  "A frequent inspection shall be performed at intervals depending on the use of the hoist, as follows: (1)	Normal service - monthly (2)	Heavy service - weekly (3)	Severe service - daily"  c)  Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to follow the guidelines in ASME B30.17-2015 - Cranes and Monorails (With Underhung Trolley or Bridge) Section 17-1.9 Stops and Bumpers paragraph 17-1.9.2 Trolley Stops paragraph (a) states: "Stops shall be provided to prevent motion beyond the limits of travel of the trolley."

Issued

May 14, 2024

Abate by

Jun 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.179(f)(2)(iii):  Holding brakes on hoists did not apply automatically when electrical power was removed:  a)  On or about November 22, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure the braking system (holding brakes) on the Rail Mill Middle Dock Bridge Crane, Cleveland Cranes 18185, 25-ton, multi-beam, top-running, would apply automatically in the event of electrical power loss.   This condition exposed employees to struck-by and crushing hazards.

Issued

May 14, 2024

Abate by

Jul 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,218 · Current $6,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(d)(1): The employer did not ensure that walking-working surfaces are inspected regularly and as necessary, and maintained in a safe condition:  a)  On or about January 24, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure the wooden platform which housed the water-filtering screen and pump machinery in the West Valve facility was maintained in a safe condition free of extensive wood degradation and biological growth.  Employees are required to regularly access this platform to perform maintenance activities.  Due to the potential structural failure of the platform when accessed, as well as running water underneath, this condition exposed employees to drowning hazards.

Issued

May 14, 2024

Abate by

Jun 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,913 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(5): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee used equipment with filter lenses that had a shade number appropriate for the work being performed, for protection from injurious light radiation:  (a) On or about January 24, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure the plasma table operator in the Boiler Shop wore shaded eye protection of at least a shade eight while operating the machine with direct line of sight to the plasma arc. This condition exposed the operator to injurious light radiation.

Issued

May 14, 2024

Abate by

Jun 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $10,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.179(n)(3)(i): The load was not well secured and properly balanced in the sling or lifting device before it was lifted more than a few inches:  a)  On or about January 23, 2024, the employer did not ensure the load being lifted by the Rail Mill Roll Yard Bridge Crane, Milwaukee 15-ton:  multi-beam top-running, was properly rigged, balanced and secured before lifting.  Employees are required to operate this bridge crane with a pendant control box from the ground.  This condition exposed employees to crushing hazards.

Issued

May 14, 2024

Abate by

Jun 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,913 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.243(c)(1): Abrasive wheel(s) were used on portable grinder(s) which were not provided with safety guard(s) meeting the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.243(c)(1) through (c)(4):  (a) On or before January 24, 2024, and at times prior in the Boiler Shop, a Dewalt angle grinder was not equipped with a guard and was used to grind welded joints. This condition exposed employees to flying metal chips and sparks.

Issued

May 14, 2024

Abate by

Jun 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $80,655 · Current $50,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.179(l)(3)(iii): Repairs or replacements were not provided promptly as needed for safe operation of crane(s):  b)  On or about January 25, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure the Steelmaking South Charger Bridge Crane, 225,000-ton, multi-beam, top-running, was taken out of service and promptly repaired before resuming normal operations when the crane was operated with missing retaining bolts on the 10-ton hoist block.  This condition exposed employees to struck-by and crushing hazards.  c)  On or about January 25, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure the Steelmaking North Charger Bridge Crane, 225,000-ton, multi-beam, top-running, was taken out of service and promptly repaired before resuming normal operations when the crane was operated with missing retaining bolts on the 40-ton hoist block.  This condition exposed employees to struck-by and crushing hazards.  f)  On or about January 26, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure the Seamless Mill #9 Bridge Crane, 10-ton, multi-beam, top-running, was taken out of service and promptly repaired before resuming normal operations when the crane was operated with missing hook throat latches.  This condition exposed employees to struck-by and crushing hazards.  CF&I Steel L.P.  was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA Inspection 1648415, Citation 1, Item 3, which was affirmed as a final order on May 9, 2023, with respect to the workplace located at 2100 S. Freeway Pueblo, CO 81004.