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 the hazards of explosion: a) On or about September 27, 2002 two employees were burned when the Fuchs furnace at the melt shop exploded. The employer allowed the melting process to continue despite water leakage that occurs from damaged water cooling panels. This practice requires the Melter and or General Turn Foreman to make an assessment to determine the severity of the leak and the probability of puddling inside the furnace. The employees were in the process of performing the furnace turn around when water from a leaking roof (cooling) panel became encapsulated in the molten metal leading to the explosion and ultimately to critical burns over 68 and 92 percent of the employees bodies. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct the hazard is to repair the damaged cooling panel by welding or replacing the cooling panel. The employer can also improve their foamy slag process to coat the sides and roof of the furnace to reduce the possibility of damage to the cooling panels.