OSHA cites Republic Steel's Canton plant for serious safety hazards, lead exposure

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under the US Department of Labor has cited Republic Steel’s Canton facility for serious violations including exposure to unsafe machinery and overexposure to lead. The federal investigators have proposed a total fine of $280,000 against the company for the cited violations. Republic Steel has 15 days to respond to the agency’s findings.

The first site inspection was carried out on Dec. 5, 2016 after a 64-year old maintenance worker suffered a fractured pelvis, after being struck by a large clamp. The inspection cited one serious safety and health violation. Live parts of electric equipment operating at high temperatures were not properly guarded against accidental contact. Enclosures and cabinets were not capable of ensuring protection of employees. The doors were found broken or left open.

The inspection also noted one repeated violation. The company’s energy control procedures failed to outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy. Also, Republic Steel failed to carry out periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least once in a year. The company was repeatedly cited for its failure to ensure that lockout devices are attached to hazardous energy sources prior to performing maintenance operations.

OSHA authorities commenced a second inspection following allegations that workers were exposed to lead. In total, the agency found four serious and one repeated safety and health violations this time. Seven employees were found exposed to excessive levels of lead, which could lead to serious health issues. Inspection results indicated that employees were exposed to lead at an 8 hour time weighted average of 611 micrograms per cubic meter, more than 10 times the OSHA permissible exposure limit. Also, it was found that employees were exposed to total particulates at an 8 hour time weighted average of 426.5 micrograms per cubic meter, nearly 10 times more than the permissible limit.

Further, for employees exposed to lead above the permissible exposure limit for more than 30 days per year, the employer did not implement engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to lead. The company failed to implement engineering controls including installation of local exhaust ventilation, installation of air islands, separation of workers by distance from source of lead fumes and implementation of job rotation schedule to minimize exposure levels.

In another serious violation, OSHA inspectors found that the company had allowed employees working in areas exposed to lead above permissible levels to consume food and beverages. The inspection observed that lunchroom facilities on the ground floor was not easily accessible to employees, which in turn resulted in employees eating their food in areas prone to overexposure of lead. In addition, the employees were allowed access to lunchrooms without proper cleaning of surface lead dust in their protective work clothing and equipment.

Headquartered in Canton, Ohio, Republic Steel is North America’s leading supplier of Special Bar Quality steel bars. Republic Steel in Canton is located nearly 100 kilometers south of Cleveland at 2633 8^th St. NE.