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

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 exposed to contact with molten aluminum, partially solidified aluminum and hot surfaces such as dies and castings were wearing synthetic clothing that would readily ignite, melt and stick to the skin. The employer provided employees with uniforms made from a 65 polyester/35% cotton blended fabric: a.Die cast operators performing activities such as but not limited to hand ladling molten metal, operating the die cast machines, removing castings from the die space, changing dies and walking or working in areas where bull ladles were transporting molten aluminum were exposed to the hazard of contact with molten aluminum, partially solidified aluminum and hot surfaces. While performing these activities they were not required to wear clothing made of fabrics containing only natural fibers such as but not limited to 100cotton or wool. The employees were wearing uniforms supplied by the employer that were made from a 65polyester/35cotton blended fabric. The employees were also wearing personal clothing items made of synthetic fabrics such as but not limited to nylon jackets. b.Trim press operators performing activities such as but not limited to hand charging the gas production furnaces, cleaning the gas and electric production furnaces, operating the die cast machines,removing castings from the die space, changing dies and walking or working in areas where bull ladles were transporting molten aluminum were exposed to the hazard of contact with molten aluminum, partially solidified aluminum and hot surfaces. While performing these activities they were not required to wear clothing made of fabrics containing only natural fibers such as but not limited to 100cotton or wool. The employees were wearing uniforms supplied by the employer that were made from a 65polyester/35cotton blended fabric. The employees were also wearing personal clothing items made of synthetic fabrics such as but not limited to nylon jackets. c.Transient personnel such as but not limited to floaters, quality control, shipping and receiving personnel, process control, management employees, office personnel, and the safety and environmental engineer performing such activities as walking or performing job tasks in the vicinity of the die cast machines and furnaces, operating the die cast machines,removing castings from the die space, changing dies and walking or working in areas where bull ladles were transporting molten aluminum were exposed to the hazard of contact with molten aluminum, partially solidified aluminum and hot surfaces. While performing these activities they were not required to wear clothing made of fabrics containing only natural fibers such as but not limited to 100cotton or wool. The employees were wearing uniforms supplied by the employer that were made from a 65polyester/35cotton blended fabric. The employees were also wearingpersonal clothing items made of synthetic fabrics such as but not limited to jackets. d.Maintenance employees performing activities such as walking or performing maintenance or service work on or around the die cast machines, central melt furnaces and production furnaces, hand dipping molten aluminum out of the production furnaces and walking or working in areas where bull ladles were transporting molten aluminum were exposed to the hazard of contact with molten aluminum, partially solidified aluminum and hot surfaces. While performing these activities they were not required to wear clothing made of fabrics containing only natural fibers such as but not limited to 100cotton or wool. The employees were wearing uniforms supplied by the employer that were made from a 65polyester/35cotton blended fabric. The employees were also wearing personal clothing items made of synthetic fabrics such as but not limited to jackets. e.Central Melt management employees performing activities such as but not limited to fluxing, raking, slagging dross, mixing scrap into the melt, charging, hauling metal and replacing arch doors were exposed to the hazard of contact with molten aluminum, partially solidified aluminum and hot surfaces. While performing these activities they were not required to wear clothing made of fabrics containing only natural fibers such as but not limited to 100cotton or wool. The employees were wearing uniforms supplied by the employer that were made from a 65polyester/35cotton blended fabric. The employees were also wearing personal clothing items made of synthetic fabrics such as but not limited to jackets. Feasible abatement methods could include but are not limited to: 1.Require employees to wear clothing made of fabric that is made of natural fibers such as 100cotton or wool. Disclaimers: The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested by OSHA. The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases. The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an appropriate abatement method.