Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: STRUCK BY

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: 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 to employees in that employees were exposed to: a) Hazard of being struck by molten steel or slag: Electric melt shop - raw dolomite (grandol) material used to patch the bottom of the 85 ton electric arc furnace was not suitable for the use. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to use bottom patch material designed for the purpose. b) Hazard of being struck by molten steel or slag: The electric melt shop had not implemented an adequate safety program which includes provisions for the identification, evaluation, and control of general workplace hazard, specific job hazards and potential hazards arising from foreseeable conditions: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method is to implement a viable safety program which would include the following essential elements: 1) The assignment and communication of responsibility, authority and acountability for the conduct of all aspects of these programs so that employees and supervisors at all organizational levels know what actions are expected of them. 2) The examination and assessment of workplace conditions and activities so that, at the minimum, existing and foreseeable hazards, which are recognized within the industry or within the trade, are identified. 3) The regular inspection by competent persons of facilities, equipment, tools, materials and supplies, including the conditions and activities related to their use, so that hazardous defects and hazardous activities are promptly detected (such as, but not limited to, inspection criteria for furnace repair). 4) The timely correction and control of hazards, however detected, so that safe and healthful working conditions are provided and maintained. 5) The notification and training of employees about workplace hazards to which they may be exposed, so that all employees are aware of all significant hazards and of the appropriate precautions and conduct required to reduce the risk of injury (such as, but not limited to, closing the rear door except when necessary for operations, and instructing non-essential employees to remain out of the furnace area while the furnace is in operation). 6) The regular review of these programs to ensure their adequacy in practice and to make improvements as needed so that these program activities for providing safe and healthful working conditions are maintained.