OSHA Inspection: TRIALCO ALUMINUM, LLC

Issued

Sep 24, 2024

Abate by

Oct 28, 2024

Penalty

Initial $8,067 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(ii): The procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to, 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(A), (c)(4)(ii)(B), (c)(4)(ii)(C) and (c)(4)(ii)(D):  a. On or about May 28, 2024, the employer failed to ensure the lockout-tagout procedure for the molten metal pump at the SF Reverberatory Furnace clearly identified all the specific steps to be followed by authorized employees for shutting down, isolating and verifying that all hazardous energy sources have been de-energized and dissipated during servicing and maintenance activities.  Specifically, the procedure did not identify the steps for de-energizing and dissipating chlorine and nitrogen gas, thereby exposing employees to the unexpected release(s) of the hazardous gasses.

Issued

Sep 24, 2024

Abate by

Oct 28, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,292 · Current $6,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(2)(i): When outside servicing personnel were engaged in activities in a facility, the onsite employer and the outside employer did not inform each other of their respective lockout or tagout procedures:  a. On or about May 28, 2024, employees working inside the SF Furnace performing refractory relining maintenance and/or servicing activities were exposed to the potential for unexpected release of atmospheric gas hazards from a chlorine and nitrogen gas line when the host employer, Trialco Aluminum, LLC did not inform Schad Boiler Setting Company dba Schad Refractory Construction Company of their lockout or tagout procedures prior to beginning the refractory relining of the SF furnace.

Issued

Sep 24, 2024

Abate by

Oct 28, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,292 · Current $6,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(f)(3)(i): When servicing and/or maintenance is performed by a crew, craft, department or other group, they shall utilize a procedure which affords the employees a level of protection equivalent to that provided by the implementation of a personal lockout or tagout device.   a. On or about May 28, 2024, the employer failed to ensure that Trialco Aluminum, LLC maintenance employee(s) and Schad Boiler Setting Company laborer and bricklayer employee(s) involved in shutting down and rebuilding the SF furnace utilized an established procedure which afforded multiple Schad Boiler Setting Company employee(s) a level of protection provided by the implementation of a personal lockout or tagout device.  Affected employees, thereby were exposed to hazards during the relining activities to the SF furnace from the presence of the Nitrogen gas line located within the furnace.