Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11020/1119246-57.stm#ixzz1BaXrgJX9
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a laundry list of violations against a Monaca-based chemical plant following an investigation into an explosion that resulted in the death of two employees there in July.
The agency proposed a total of $45,000 in fines for the Horsehead Corp. for nine violations -- eight of them classified as "serious" -- following a July 23 explosion that killed workers James Taylor, 53, of Aliquippa, and Corey Keller, 41, of Newell, W.Va. The company runs a zinc refinery.
Among other things, OSHA found that the company created unsafe working conditions by putting employees directly in harm's way in the event of an explosion.
Large columns constructed of brick that functioned as explosion relief vents "were located such that bursting bricks, vented flames and fireballs, and vented gasses resulting from an explosion in the column would be discharged directly into an area in which employees were required to work," the citation said.
Furthermore, OSHA found the explosion relief vents to be small and found that the company heated up the zinc too quickly in their refinery process, increasing the likelihood of an explosion.
Finally, OSHA said the company failed to prepare its emergency responders, who did not know how to shut off carbon monoxide and natural gas remotely following the explosion.
First published on January 20, 2011 at 12:00 am
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11020/1119246-57.stm#ixzz1BaZ7yozy
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