Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard:

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. On or about March 26, 2024, at 949 Bethel Road in Lebanon, Missouri, the employer exposed employees to recognized crushing hazards created when it allowed employees to work in the vicinity of steel coils that were not properly secured from falling. An employee loaded a 1,690 pound, 51-inch diameter steel coil that was composed of 0.118-inch-thick by 3.385-inch-wide steel onto the ROWE Machinery & Manufacturing, Inc. 12050 DJS 1500-ton press coil buggy. The coil was not secured in the buggy and fell during transport crushing an employee working in the vicinity of the unsecured coil. The employee suffered fatal injuries. Following recommendations of the operator's manual and providing training in loading and unloading procedures would materially reduce the hazard that include: 1) Establish and implement standard operating procedures in accordance with ROWE Machinery & Manufacturing, Inc. Operators Manual: Coil Loading Instructions (pages 33-34) and Coil Loading Position and Procedures instructions (pages 58-63) including the admonitions from the Manual stating: Narrow or unstable coils must not be transported without the aid of blocking and/or side supports. Center the coil on the coil buggy and adjust the narrow coil supports so that the coil cannot fall off while the buggy is in motion. 2) Ensure all operators and material handlers are trained in procedures for loading/unloading steel coils, and that all safety/support bars are properly maintained in place and utilized. 3) Develop, implement, and complete regularly occurring equipment inspections to ensure the de-coiler/tabletop and all associated equipment remain in good working condition and hazard-free.