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Region 3 News Release:   USDL: III-00-09-29-092-PGH
Fri., Sept. 29, 2000
Contact: Leni Uddyback-Fortson
PHONE: OFFICE: (215) 861-5102
After Hours: (856)251-0131

OSHA CITES GLASSPORT, PA COMPANY FOR ALLEGED SAFETY AND HEALTH VIOLATIONS; PROPOSES $123,000 IN PENALTIES

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Riverview Steel Corporation, Glassport, Pa., for alleged safety and health violations, proposing a total of $123,000 in penalties. Riverview is a steel reinforcing bar manufacturer employing 55 workers.

OSHA initiated its inspection on May 16, 2000 in response to a complaint. According to Robert Szymanski, area director of the Pittsburgh OSHA office, the company was cited for one willful violation, with a proposed penalty of $49,000; 46 serious violations, with a proposed penalty of $74,000; and four other-than-serious violations, which carry no penalty.

The willful violation is due to the company's failure to provide a rail stop where employees unload/load material near a natural gas pipe, causing an ongoing hazardous situation.

The serious violations include:

• open floor hole/open pits

• unsafe forklifts/no forklift inspections

• no forklift training

• no Employee Lock Out/Tag Out Program-which prevent inadvertent machine start-ups

• unsafe overhead cranes/no periodic overhead crane inspections

• inoperable eyewash

• unguarded table saw

• storing oxygen cylinders next to fuel gases

• exposed live electrical parts

• no hearing conservation program

• no noise monitoring

• n use of hearing protection

• wet floor conditions throughout plant due to leaking roof

• no employees with First Aid training

• exposed fan blades

The other-than-serious violations include:

• unmarked electrical boxes

• unmarked five gallon containers

• no continuous electrical conduit

• noise standard not available to employees

Willful violations are those committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the OSH act.

A serious violation involves a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and that the employer knew or should have known of the hazard.

The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to decide to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director or to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the Independent Occupational Safety and Heath Review Commission.

The inspection was conducted by the Pittsburgh area office, Federal Building - Room 1428, 1000 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222-4101, Telephone: (412) 395-4903.

This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request.Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD). Telephone: (800) 927-9273.