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

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) Hazards associated with train and locomotive derailment which can cause death or serious physical harm when operating locomotives and overloaded gondola cars at the outbound rail storage tracks of the Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Allenport Plant which are considered defective and unsafe for operations as listed. In accordance with industry recognized standards and US Department of Transportation Track Safety Standards (Federal Railroad Administration) the following deficiencies render the Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Corporation Company Controlled and Maintained Railroad track unsafe for class one track operations: 1) Crossties; A sufficient number of serviceable crossties were not provided in each 39 foot track segment to; hold the prescribed track gauge, maintain the rail surface within prescribed limits, and support each joint section. 2) Rail and Mismatch; Several rail ends have mismatches greater than 1/4 inch. 3) Each 39 foot track segment did not have a sufficient number of fastenings which effectively maintained the proper gauge. 4) The outbound track was not inspected at least weekly with immediate remedial action for serious defects such as loose railend connections and collapsed rail sections. 5) The gauge of the rails at right engles exceeded the gauge limits of 4'8" to 4'10" throughout the length of the outbound track. 6) The track was not provided with support ballast that would distribute the level of the track, restrain track movement, provide for adequate drainage and maintain proper track cross level, surface and allignment. A feasible method of correction, among others available, is to comply with guide lines and rules put forth in industry recognized rules and safe operating practices contained in the US Department of Transportation FRA 213 Standard the explains minimum safety requirements for a Class I Railroad Track. FRA Rule 213.51, 213.103, 213.109, 213.115, 213.127 and 213.233.