Inspection Detail

Inspection: 127380053 - Bethlehem Steel Corporation

Inspection Information - Office: Department Of Labor, Licensing, And Regulation Division Of Labor And Industry Maryland Occupational Safety And Health

Investigation Summary

Employee #1 and a coworker were doing maintenance on a machine in the plate mill. They placed approximately 26 in. long bolts through the table; Employee #1 was underneath the table while his coworker was on top, tightening the bolts with nuts. After one bolt had been completed, the coworker determined that the other holes were blocked and that no more bolts would be placed that day. Employee #1 did not hear anyone tell him to come out, so he stayed under the table. The locks on the machine were removed, and the machine was restarted. The table came down onto Employee #1, pinning him under it until the table was raised approximately 20 minutes later. He sustained a sore neck, sore back, and bruises across his upper legs. Employee #1 had not locked out the machine before he went under the table, as required by the company. His coworkers believed that he had came out from under the table when the machine was re-engaged, but they never checked his position or looked to see if the locks were placed on the machine before the work was started. If the company's lockout/tagout program had been followed, this accident would not have occurred.

Keywords: MAINTENANCE, PINNED, WORK RULES, LOCKOUT, BACK, CAUGHT BETWEEN, NECK, COMMUNICATION, CONTUSION, LEG