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

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 potential steam/molten metal explosion: a- Melting Department. Employees were exposed to steam explosion hazards in that the employer did not provide adequate procedures for cupola draining to ensure that the molten alloy was drained properly and safely, preventing steam explosions. Condition noted on or about 08/24/2007. Feasible and acceptable methods among others to correct the hazard are to: 1- Checking the drain area for adequacy of size, quality and dryness of sand bed, and presence of standing water nearby just prior to molten alloy drain. 2- Raising the elevation of the drain area to prevent seepage of water under the bed. 3- Diverting water overflow or splashing from cupola moat away from the drain area. Ways should be developed and implemented to prevent or minimize water overflow or splashing. 4- Grading the adjacent roadway to divert rain water and other natural precipitation away from the drain area. 5- Using only dry sand instead of sand and slag chips as materials for the drain area. Covering the sand pile helps ensure its dryness. 6- Draining the slag first followed by the molten alloy.