OSHA, Steel Manufacturer Enter Settlement Agreement

The U.S. Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has entered into a settlement agreement with Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Corp., Follansbee, W.Va., following an inspection of their coke plant initiated last October, The inspection uncovered multiple alleged violations of occupational health standards for coke ovens.

The agreement, which calls for a penalty payment of $227,000, settles citations issued by OSHA for violations of the respiratory protections standards, among others.

The company has consented to hire a mutually agreed-upon, qualified independent consultant to perform an OSHA compliance assessment of its coke oven batteries and prepare a report for the company that outlines abatement measures. Training of all managers, supervisors and foremen on coke oven standards will take place within 90 days.

“The inspection uncovered many violations that endangered the safety and health of the company’s workers,” said Stan Elliott, area director of the Charleston OSHA office. “This settlement shows the company is serious about improving working conditions at their facility.”

The agreement, signed April 14, will reportedly avoid the cost and burden of litigation and, more importantly, furthers the efforts of all parties to promote safe work practices and procedures.