OSHA Cites JSW Steel (USA) for Safety Violations
12/15/2014 - An OSHA inspection on 10 June 2014 of the JSW Steel (USA) Inc. Baytown facility found the company violated 12 safety requirements. Proposed penalties total US$126,000.
Employees who perform maintenance work on a metal cutting machine must be trained to safely de-energize the machinery and conduct periodic audits of those procedures, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
"Lockout/tagout procedures exist to keep workers from hazards, including electrocution, crushing, burns, lacerations and amputations. Not following procedures puts workers' lives in danger, and that is unacceptable," said Mark Briggs, OSHA's Houston South Area Office director. "Although workers were not injured in this case, the employer must be proactive and correct hazards before injuries or fatalities occur."
OSHA cited JSW Steel for one repeated violation, carrying a fine of US$70,000, for failure to conduct periodic inspections and develop lockout/tagout procedures to power off the shear safely, a large metal cutting machine, during machine maintenance and servicing. A repeated violation exists when an employer has been cited previously for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. A March 2012 inspection at JSW Steel found similar violations.
Inspectors also identified nine serious violations, with a proposed fine of US$54,000, for failure to affix lockout or tagout safeguards on dangerous machinery and to train employees performing machine maintenance. JSW Steel also was cited for inadequate drenching or flushing facilities for workers exposed to injurious corrosive materials. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. The company also was cited for two other violations, with a US$2,000 fine, for failure to mount fire extinguishers and replace a missing junction box.
JSW Steel employs approximately 700 workers and produces a variety of steel products at its Baytown facility. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
"Lockout/tagout procedures exist to keep workers from hazards, including electrocution, crushing, burns, lacerations and amputations. Not following procedures puts workers' lives in danger, and that is unacceptable," said Mark Briggs, OSHA's Houston South Area Office director. "Although workers were not injured in this case, the employer must be proactive and correct hazards before injuries or fatalities occur."
OSHA cited JSW Steel for one repeated violation, carrying a fine of US$70,000, for failure to conduct periodic inspections and develop lockout/tagout procedures to power off the shear safely, a large metal cutting machine, during machine maintenance and servicing. A repeated violation exists when an employer has been cited previously for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. A March 2012 inspection at JSW Steel found similar violations.
Inspectors also identified nine serious violations, with a proposed fine of US$54,000, for failure to affix lockout or tagout safeguards on dangerous machinery and to train employees performing machine maintenance. JSW Steel also was cited for inadequate drenching or flushing facilities for workers exposed to injurious corrosive materials. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. The company also was cited for two other violations, with a US$2,000 fine, for failure to mount fire extinguishers and replace a missing junction box.
JSW Steel employs approximately 700 workers and produces a variety of steel products at its Baytown facility. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
