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

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 rapidly expanding steam vapor/molten metal explosion. a) Employee(s) working in the Anode Casting area were exposed to the hazard of an explosion because water leaking from the cooling system was allowed to accumulate around the pouring area of the caster where a molten metal spill could entrap the water. b) Employee(s) working in the foundry area were exposed to the hazard of an explosion because a pool of water was allowed to accumulate near the holding furnace. Molten metal accidentally filling from the charging process could entrap the water. ABATEMENT MEASURES: General methods of control applicable in these circumstances include, but are not limited to the following: 1) Repair water leaks in casting wheel cooling system. 2) Repair water leaks in the pollution control system. 3) Repari holes in roof to keep out rain water and assure no water enters through open doors. 4) Assure that water used to wash down furnace deck does not drain down and accumulate on foundry floor or stop using water to wash down if this is not possible. DISCLAIMERS 1) The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested by OSHA; 2) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases; and, 3) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an appropriate abatement method.