Steam explosion burns worker after molten metal spill, feds say. Now Ohio firm must pay
.jpg "A worker at an Ohio metal plant was seriously burned while trying to clean up a molten metal spill, feds say.")
A worker at an Ohio metal manufacturing plant was badly burned after 8,000 pounds of molten material spilled — and now the company must pay, federal officials say.
The business, Globe Metallurgical Solutions in Waterford, has been cited with a proposed fine of $188,533 for “failing to use required containment measures” and for not providing workers cleaning the spill proper protective gear or training, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration said in a Jan. 25 release.
While molten material was being poured into a large casting ladle, the roughly 3,000-degree mixture melted through and spilled onto the floor of the Waterford-based plant on July 10, OSHA said.
Nobody was hurt by the initial overflow, but workers’ attempts to clean it up caused a dangerous explosion, the release said.
A supervisor used a forklift to try to break up the material while other workers doused the spill with water, causing a steam explosion that left the supervisor with third-degree burns, according to OSHA.
“With proper training, people working in metal casting facilities know that mixing water and molten material can be a serious, if not deadly mistake,” the release said.
“Globe Metallurgical Inc. might have prevented the severe injuries this employee suffered had the company put required safety protections in place,” said OSHA Area Director Larry Johnson. “A company this size should be acutely aware of industry regulations that protect workers who handle molten materials and the required procedures for responding safely to emergencies.”
This story was originally published January 26, 2023 at 9:22 AM with the headline "Steam explosion burns worker after molten metal spill, feds say. Now Ohio firm must pay."