OSHA Cites Evraz Rocky Mountain Steel for Safety Violations at Seamless Tube Mill
03/10/2011 - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Evraz Rocky Mountain Steel for one repeat, five serious and two other-than-serious violations following a safety inspection of the company's seamless tube mill.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Evraz Rocky Mountain Steel in Pueblo for eight alleged violations -- one repeat, five serious and two other-than-serious -- following a safety inspection of the company's seamless tube mill. Proposed fines total $49,900.
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OSHA issues a repeat citation when an employer has been cited previously for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facilities in federal enforcement states within the last five years.
OSHA defines a serious violation as one where death or serious physical harm can result from a hazard an employer knew or should have known exists.
An other-than-serious violation has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.
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The repeat violation involves employee exposure to amputation hazards from rotating machine parts. Evraz was cited for a similar hazard in July 2009.
The serious violations involve failing to properly implement a lockout/tagout program for energy sources, provide adequate guarding of belts and pulleys, provide proper storage of flammable materials and protect workers from exposure to electrical hazards.
The other-than-serious violations involve the employer's failure to maintain fire extinguishers and material safety data sheets.
"Evraz failed to provide its employees with a safe and healthful workplace," said John Healy, OSHA area office director in Englewood. "The hazards uncovered during this investigation are well recognized in the industry."
The inspection was conducted by OSHA's Englewood Area Office. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
