The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has
cited Republic Steel Corp. for three safety and health violations, comprised of one serious and
two repeat violations. They come in response to an inspection of a worksite in Buffalo, NY in
October of 2014 after an employee was injured by an arc flash. The arc flash was occurred while
the employee was removing wiring from a fan motor in an overhead crane; she received third
degree burns on her hands and first degree burns on her face. These violations are for hazards
relating to arc flash and a lack of protective equipment. These violations carry proposed penalties
of $147,000.
“These injuries were avoidable. Republic Steel has a responsibility to make sure that its electric
technicians are properly trained, equipped with and using personal protective equipment to
protect from arc flash. In this case, that would include a face shield and rubber insulating gloves.
The company should be especially aware of this, since OSHA cited Republic Steel earlier in
2014 for similar hazards at its Lorain, Ohio, facility,” said Michael Scime, OSHA’s area director
in Buffalo.
Workplace injuries can be devastating not only to the employees, but to the company, as well.
When processes and procedures are not appropriately created, maintained, and enforced, serious
injuries can occur, which can lead to serious fines. If you have not recently updated your
occupational safety and health policies and procedures, it is time to do it. Should you ever face
an OSHA audit, you will be glad you did.
If you have any questions about this inspection or about updating occupational safety and health
procedures, please contact us. If you have anything to add about the importance of updating
occupational safety and health procedures, please leave a comment,
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