U.S. Steel, Power Piping fined by OSHA

United States Steel Corp. and its contractor Power Piping Co. are being fined $175,000 by federal regulators for citations of major safety violations related to an explosion last summer at the Clairton Works facility.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration found U.S. Steel (NYSE: X) had two “willful” violations and 11 serious violations and fined the integrated steel maker $143,500. Power Piping Co. was found to have six serious violations and was fined $31,500, according to a government statement.

The investigation was the result of a July 14 explosion that injured 20 people. Injuries included first, second and third-degree burns, according to OSHA.

In a statement, U.S. Steel said it had cooperated with the government investigation and had received the citations.

“We are currently reviewing the citations. Safety is a core value for our company, and we will continue our extensive, company-wide efforts to ensure the safety of every individual who performs work in our facilities,” the company said in a statement.

According to OSHA, a “willful” violation exists when an employer either intentionally disregards safety requirements or shows an indifference to employee health and safety. The regulator said U.S. Steel did not provide energy control procedure. Additionally, the company was cited for a “lack of fall protection, inadequate lockout/tagout to prevent the inadvertent release of energy, a deficient process safety management program, and failure to implement an emergency response plan, evaluate respiratory hazards, use flame retardant gloves and use approved electrical equipment.”

Power Piping’s violations included “inadequate energy control procedures, a lack of flame retardant hand protection” and “failure to evaluate the respiratory hazards posed by coke oven gas.”

Power Piping declined to comment.

The companies have 15 days to comply with the citations or request a review.

U.S. Steel is scheduled to report its fourth quarter financial results Jan. 25. In the third quarter, the company narrowed its losses.

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