UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1292405.015 - Whemco - Ohio Foundry, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Toledo

Investigation Summary

At approximately 9:30 a.m. on February 2, 2018, four employees were pouring molt en metal from a transfer ladle back into an induction furnace. After filling the ladle, the crane operator hoisted it to take it to the pour area, however the l adle's tilting wheel became caught on a nearby catwalk, resulting in the wheel t o become bent and broken off of the ladle. Maintenance was delayed in welding th e broken wheel and a supervisor and maintenance worker obtained a pipe wrench an d the two workers proceeded to apply the pipe wrench to the shaft where the whee l was located. The workers then used the pipe wrench to tilt the ladle and pour the molten metal back into a furnace; the workers lost control of the tilt and 9,600 pounds of molten metal spilled producing a powerful back-splash up into th e air and on the ground. There were a total of five employees in the area when the spill occurred; four were hospitalized with burn injuries. Three employees r eceived various burn injuries from molten metal splatter to the back, neck, head , legs, and arms. The three employees were released from the hospital the same or next day. The fourth employee sustained more serious burn injuries to the ha nds and legs and was hospitalized for two weeks before being transferred to a re habilitation facility for another month.

Keywords:burn, ladle, molten metal, spill