Rockport Steel Cited by OSHA for Worker Fatality

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Following a May 2024 incident that resulted in a worker's death, Rockport Steel has been hit with sanctions by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). January 7, 2025 is the abatement date for the $29,957 in fines that the corporation is required to pay.

A total of six citations were issued to the company, out of which four are being classified as ‘Serious’ and the remaining two as ‘Other’.

OSHA claims that the business did not adequately train and assess the operator of a powered industrial tractor. It did not guarantee that the required supervision was available for the safe operation of the welding and cutting machinery. Furthermore, no inert gas was used to vent or purge the diesel tank that was being welded. According to the report, the company was also discovered to have neglected to keep the OSHA 300 and 300A forms or its equivalent for documenting work-related injuries and illnesses.

As required by law, the operators were not assessed every three years. Investigations also revealed that there was no illuminated escape sign at the front side bay openings for the emergency exit.

According to OSHA's conclusions, Sean Rancourt, 39, of Waterville, was fatally injured when the explosion occurred because of overpressure inside the tank that caused sharp metal components to be ejected.

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