By Paul Ploumis
CHICAGO (Scrap Monster): Investigation by US Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) authorities, following the death of 50-year old worker has cited half-a-dozen safety and health violations. A total of $53,628 has been proposed in penalties against Coilplus Illinois Inc.’s Plainfield facility. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent review commission.
The facility had reported death of the worker on June 23, 2016. As per investigations, the worker was standing on a pneumatic platform removing metal scrap from the scrap pit, when a piece of the metal scrap allegedly snagged the pneumatic line, causing it to disconnect and for the platform to return to a vertical position. The employee, who fell into the Scrap Pit was later found dead.
According to Kathy Webb, OSHA's area director in Calumet City, the tragic death of the employee has resulted in overwhelming loss to his family, friends and co-workers. The investigations revealed that the company had not implemented necessary safety precaution to workers at the facility. Webb stated that the company needs to implement immediate changes to its safety and health programs so as to ensure that its workers are guarded from machine hazards.
According to the citations, the standard railings did not consist of top rail, intermediate rail and/or posts and/or did not have a vertical height of 42 inches nominal from upper surface of top rail to floor, platform runway, or ramp level. Slitter Line, Knife Stand Area, the guardrails around the Scrap Pit did not have vertical height of 42 inches, thereby exposing employees to fall hazards of approximately 9 feet into the Scrap Pit.
Also, standard railings were not provided on the open sides of all exposed stairways and stair platforms. As per OSHA authorities, the Slitter Line, Baller Area, the stairway leading into the Scrap Pit was not provided with a railing on the open side, thereby exposing employees to fall hazards into the Scrap Pit.
Another serious violation noted that lockout devices were not affixed to energy isolating device by authorized employees. The inspection observed that Slitter Line, Knife Stand Area employees required to enter the area to make adjustments, did not lockout the machinery prior to entering the hazardous area, thereby exposing employees to pinch points and lacerations. Similarly, Baller area employees too did not lock out the machinery, prior to entering the hazardous area.
In addition, the company failed to provide one or more methods of machine guarding to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks. Also, the periodic inspection certification of energy control procedures lacked required documentation.
Coilplus Illinois is one of nine U.S. facilities operated by Rosemont-based Coilplus, which also has plants in Canada and Mexico. Coilplus is an operating subsidiary of Metal One Holdings America, also based in Rosemont. Metal One Holdings America, Inc. operates as a joint venture between Mitsubishi Corporation and Sojitz Corporation.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.
