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 hazards of molten metal break-out in the continuous casting area when the tundishes are returned to service after having been dropped to the ground to remove skull. This practice can further damage the tundish shell and refractory. In addition, employees working in the tundish dump area can be struck by flying debris when the tundish hits the ground. In the tundish dump area, employees are required to lift tundish ends to approximately a 45 degree angle using wire rope slings and a 75 ton radio controlled crane. The tundish end is hoisted approximately 10 to 12 feet into the air until the sling slips off the trunions of the tundish and then crashes to the ground below. This is done to break solidified metal or skull loose from the pouring spouts of the tundish which weighs approximately 50 tons. When the tundish hits the ground, the shell and refractory of the tundish can be damaged exposing employees to molten metal break-out when the tundish is placed back in service. Additionally, employees working in the tundish dump area can be struck by flying debris when the tundish hits the ground. A feasible and effective means of abatement may include but not be limited to using using hydraulic presses attached to the bottom of the tundish while the tundish is on the ground to press the skull from the spouts.