Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: BURNS

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 severe burns and explosion hazards: (a) Melt Shop area "A" furnace: On or about 11/05/02 there were no drawings, operating or maintenance instructions, and spare parts listings for the furnace after it was modified from a 20 to 25 ton capacity. The furnace was overloaded by 1,751 pounds. (b) Melt Shop area "A" furnace: On or about 11/05/02 4 employees were positioned in the hazardous zone when tapping a heat, after a "Burn Out" had occurred. Water was observed flowing inside the furnace and "warning" alarms were registering on the computer screen in the control booth. The employer did not establish written startup/shutdown procedures as prescribed by the manufacturer's recommendations before placing the equipment in operation. (c) Melt Shop area "A" & "B" Lectromelt electric arc furnaces: On or about 11/05/02 the furnaces were being operated and the written established inspection and maintenance procedures were not being followed or utilized. Among other feasible and acceptable means to abate these hazards is to develop the procedures outlined in the American National Standards Institute, Z241.2, "Safety Requirements for Melting and Pouring of Metals in the Metalcasting Industry dated March 31, 2000.