The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited an El Paso Texas based steel maker for repeatedly exposing employees to fall, machine and other safety hazards. OSHA’s most recent inspection of Kyoei Steel, operating as Vinton Steel LLC, found 19 violations. The agency proposed penalties of USD 364,078. The company has 15 business days from receipt of citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. OSHA investigators opened an inspection of Kyoei Steel LTD on 18 October 2021, after receiving notification from the employer that a worker was treated at a medical facility after suffering second-degree burns to his left hand. Inspectors determined the employee was using a heat torch when oxygen leaked from a hose in poor condition, causing a fire flash in the roll and bearing shop at the El Paso facility. The agency determined the company failed to provide safety devices for welding equipment and exposed workers to fire hazards. OSHA also received an employer report of an amputation injury on 10 January 2022, and a complaint on 26 January 2022, alleging employees were forced to jump approximately 3 feet from a ladder onto a crane platform that had no safety rail system, exposing them to fall hazards. After 10 incidents in 5 years, including five amputation injuries, OSHA placed Kyoei Steel LTD in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program. In 1962, the long carbon steel plant was built by Border Steel Company and was acquired by Kyoei Steel in 2016. Based in Osaka in Japan, Kyoei Steel LTD operates as Vinton Steel in El Paso where the company employs approximately 400 employees represented by United Steelworkers Local 9424.
The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited an El Paso Texas based steel maker for repeatedly exposing employees to fall, machine and other safety hazards. OSHA’s most recent inspection of Kyoei Steel, operating as Vinton Steel LLC, found 19 violations. The agency proposed penalties of USD 364,078. The company has 15 business days from receipt of citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. OSHA investigators opened an inspection of Kyoei Steel LTD on 18 October 2021, after receiving notification from the employer that a worker was treated at a medical facility after suffering second-degree burns to his left hand. Inspectors determined the employee was using a heat torch when oxygen leaked from a hose in poor condition, causing a fire flash in the roll and bearing shop at the El Paso facility. The agency determined the company failed to provide safety devices for welding equipment and exposed workers to fire hazards. OSHA also received an employer report of an amputation injury on 10 January 2022, and a complaint on 26 January 2022, alleging employees were forced to jump approximately 3 feet from a ladder onto a crane platform that had no safety rail system, exposing them to fall hazards. After 10 incidents in 5 years, including five amputation injuries, OSHA placed Kyoei Steel LTD in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program. In 1962, the long carbon steel plant was built by Border Steel Company and was acquired by Kyoei Steel in 2016. Based in Osaka in Japan, Kyoei Steel LTD operates as Vinton Steel in El Paso where the company employs approximately 400 employees represented by United Steelworkers Local 9424.
