OSHA cites Republic Steel for fall hazards at Lorain, Ohio, mill

Employer name: Republic Steel Canton, Ohio

Investigation site: 1807 E. 28th Street Lorain, Ohio

Date investigation initiated and what prompted inspection: On Dec. 12, 2014, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Toledo Area Office initiated an inspection at Republic Steel's Lorain, Ohio, mill after receiving a report that a worker fell from a height of about 12 feet. The 17-year-employee suffered contusions to the back, shoulder and abdomen.

Investigation findings: OSHA issued two repeat and two serious violations for exposing workers to falls and machinery hazards at the steel mill.

Two repeat violations cite the company for:

• Exposing workers to fall hazards of about 12 feet while working in a large steel forming machine.
• Failing to ensure machinery would not unexpectedly operate during service and maintenance. The company was previously cited for similar hazards at the same facility in 2014.

Two serious violations were also cited for improper crane operations and failing to inspect chain slings annually.

Quote: "Republic Steel has made tremendous strides in its workplace safety and health programs. The company has corrected the safety issues cited in this inspection and reviewed its training programs to ensure safety procedures are followed," said Kimberly Nelson, OSHA's Area Director in Toledo. "This incident demonstrates that the company must remain vigilant in protecting workers from falls and machinery hazards."

To view citations see: http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/RepublicSteel_1015263_1015834_060915.pdf

Proposed Penalties: $111,500

Republic Steel is North America's leading supplier of special bar quality steel, a highly engineered product used in axles, drive trains, suspensions, and other critical vehicle components and industrial equipment.

To ask questions; obtain compliance assistance; file a complaint or report amputations, losses of an eye, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Toledo Area Office at 419-259-7542.