Structural Metals Inc., a steel manufacturer headquartered in Seguin, Tex., has been cited for what the Occupational Safety and Health Administration described as unsafe working conditions that may have led to a Sept. 27 explosion that killed one person and burned a second. The government agency alleges that the company failed to provide a safe working environment.
The citation follows an explosion at the company’s Seguin steel mill Sept. 27 where one worker died and another employee was severely injured.
OSHA said it was fining SMI $70,000. It said the company allowed employees to work on a metal melting process although water was leaking into a furnace.
SMI is contesting the citation. The claim of willful violation is defined as an intentional disregard of or plain indifference to OSHA law and regulations.
“We are exercising our right under OSHA procedures to persuade OSHA that its initial citation was incorrect. We are currently in discussion with OSHA,” SMI General Manager Phil Seidenberger told the Associated Press Dec. 16.
"The employer knew there was a leak in the roof cooling panel and chose not to repair it," said Paul Brantley, OSHA's area director in Austin. "It's quite possible this explosion could have been avoided had the employer made the necessary repairs."
In November, however, Brantley said preliminary findings from an investigation conducted by the OSHA indicated working conditions at SMI-Texas were in compliance with federal law.
SMI has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the Austin area office, or to contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.