OSHA Cites JSW Steel for Failing to Train Workers Properly and Implement Audit Procedures for Metal Cutting Machine
The Baytown, Texas, company faces $126,000 in proposed fines
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 a news release from OSHA. An OSHA inspection on June 10, 2014 of the JSW Steel (USA) Inc. Baytown facility found the company violated 12 safety requirements.
"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 $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. Inspectors also identified nine serious violations, with a proposed fine of $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.