Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: HEAT

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) ...the hazard of being splashed with molten metal when charging the camshaft induction furnace with sorrel (pig iron) that was not pre- heated to remove any moisture in the sorrel when there is molten metal at approximately 2600 degrees Fahrenheit in the bottom of the furnace (observed on March 11, 1988). b) ...the hazard of being splashed with molten metal when charging the main induction furnaces with scrap that was not preheated to remove any moisture in the scrap because the furnaces have a heat of molten metal at approximately 2600 degrees Fahrenheit and charges are added with molten in the furnaces (observed on April 21, 1988). In the establishment the employer did not provide an adequate program, nor were employees adequately trained in the recognition of hazards, as evident by the furnace charging operations. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard can be accomplished by instituting a formal furnace charging program as recommended by the American Foundry Society to prevent the enterapment of water in the molten metal and effectively administered management controls over the work being performed, instructions of workers in the recognition of hazards, and preheating of the metal used to charge the furnaces. Specific elements of the above procedures shall be expected to include, but are not necessarily limited to: 1) Preheating of the metal used to charge the furnaces to a temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit or greater. 2) Establish written procedures designed to instruct and train employees in the recognition of hazards and proper safe preheating of the metal.