Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: STRUCK BY

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 hazard of explosion and being burned by or struck by molten materials and super heated water: (a) At the ASARCO Hayden Smelter, the quench tower ("splash tower") associated with the ESCV was not inspected and maintained in accordance to the manufacturer's operation and maintenance manual as there was about 2 to 4 inches of build-up on the quench tower's walls and plugging of the overflow opening and pipe. Partial plugging or complete blockage of the overflow opening and pipe permitted water to rise in the tower, flow into a duct connected to the ESCV, and enter the ESCV which contained molten materials. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct the hazard is to inspect and maintain the quench tower in accordance with the manufacturer's operation and maintenance manual.