Normal oxygen levels in the atmosphere are between 20 to 21 percent, but when another gas such as nitrogen is introduced, levels are depleted which could lead to oxygen-deficiency in confined or closed spaces and subsequently to death, as in the recent case of Canton, Ohio-based TimkenSteel (Timken Co IW500/299).
The alloy steel bar and tubing manufacturer recently was the subject of an OSHA investigation after a March 20 incident in which a worker was found dead in the elevator control room while performing monthly fire extinguisher checks. An investigation determined nitrogen leaked into the control room resulting in an oxygen deficient atmosphere causing the worker's death.
OSHA’s Cleveland Area Office cited the steel mill for two repeated and four serious safety violations following two separate agency investigations at the TimkenSteel's Canton plant.
