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Ohio companies cited after workers injured in explosions

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explosions

A manufacturing company was cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration after a plant supervisor suffered third-degree burns during a steam explosion this summer in Ohio.

OSHA said it issued a citation for one willful violation and three serious safety violations to Waterford, Ohio-based Globe Metallurgical Inc. after a July 10 workplace incident this summer involving a steam explosion that was caused by mixing water with tons of superheated materials.

At the time of the incident, employees were pouring molten material into a large ladle for cast forms when the material burned through the ladle, causing 8,000 pounds of 3,000-degree molten material to spill, according to OSHA.

Workers attempted to remedy the situation by pouring water onto the spill, but an explosion ended up occurring, causing the worksite supervisor to suffer serious burns.

OSHA inspectors allege the company failed to develop proper containment measures for molten materials and that it failed to provide workers with adequate personal protective equipment.

OSHA proposed penalties of $188,533.

In a separate but similar case, OSHA cited another Ohio company after three workers – one of whom ended up dying – were severely injured while conducting furnace-tapping operations.

OSHA cited Canton, Ohio-based TimkenSteel for one willful violation and proposed $145,027 in penalties after the July 26 incident at the company’s Faircrest plant.

The injuries occurred when an arc furnace exploded after water became encapsulated in molten metal.

OSHA investigators allege the company failed to provide furnace attendants with protection from potential steam explosions.

Both companies have 15 days to contest the citations.