Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 Hazard: LIFTING

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safey 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 of the cupola melting department who were entering cupolas to prepare bottom and to perform other functions were exposed to the hazards of potential falls, being struck by material from above falling into the cupola, heat prostration, hazardous atmospheres and other confined space type injuries and procedures were not being implemented to ensure their safety while working inside the cupola and for their removal from inside the cupola in emergency situations: a) Cupola melting department, cupola operations, cupola liners and helpers were entering cupolas with the doors up to install bottom and other procedures and were not tied off to an independant life- line attached to a harness and attended by a monitor employee stationed at the access opening during the entire period the employees were inside the cupula. Neither were means provided to protect employees inside cupola from falling objects nor were positive means used to assure a nonhazardous atmosphere inside the cupola. Also methods had not been established to remove employees from cupolas in emergency situations. On or about 3/22/90. Among other methods one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to implement and enforce a cupola entry programas required by the American National Standards Safety Requirements for melting and pouring in the metal casting industry Z 241-2 1981 section 4-2 entitled Cupolas. The program should contain but not be limited to the following provisions: A) WRITTEN PROCEDURES - A written detailed procedure shall be establshed and followed for: 1) Decending and ascending inside the cupola. 2) Removing an employee who becomes injured or incapacited inside the cupola; and 3) Communicating between personnel inside and outside the cupola. B) EMERGENCY PERSONNEL REMOVAL - When the copula bottom doors are closed personnel inside the cupola shall be equipped with lifeline and harness or equivalent means to facilitate emergency removal. In addition, a monitor employee shall be stationed at the access opening during the entire period the bottom doors are closed with personnel inside the cupola. C) PERSONNEL INSIDE CUPOLAS - Prior to and when personnel are inside the cupola; 1) Means to prevent unintentional opening or closing of the bottom doors shall be used; 2) The blast gate shall be closed and locked off or the cupola blower shall be locked off; 3) The charging opening shall be guarded to prevent personnel or material from falling into the cupola; 4) Means shall be provided and used to protect personnel inside the cupola from falling objects; 5) Means shall be provided and used to assure a nonhazardous atmosphere inside the cupola; 6) Personnel inside the cupola shall wear personal protective equipment as required by the employer; and 7) Cupolas equipped with nuclear charge level indicator(s) shall have source holder(s) locked in the closed position. D) ACCESS EQUIPMENT - If mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic or similar lifting means are used for cupola access, such equipment shall be inspected prior to each use. The lifting mechanism shall be provided with an upper overtral limit device to stop lifting motion. This device shall operate so as to directly interrupt power to the hoist motor (primary protection). The upper limit device shall not be used as an operating control in normal operation. Lift mechanisms shall be provided with an overtravel limit device in the lowering motion so that at least three (3) wraps of rope remain on the drum. The service cage load limit shall not be exceeded.