"U.S. Steel Corp. and the contractor working at the steelmaker's Clairton coke plant were cited by federal safety regulators today for failing to provide an effective energy control procedure and for exposing 20 workers to burns from the July 14 explosion," according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

The article reports that "The Occupational Safety and Health Administration in Pittsburgh cited U.S. Steel for two willful and 11 serious violations, with a total penalty of $143,500. Power Piping Co. of Lawrenceville, a contractor providing steam fitting services at the coke batteries, was cited for six serious violations and fined $31,500.

"U.S. Steel and Power Piping did not have the proper controls in place to prevent worker exposure to hazardous energy," said Robert Szymanski, director of OSHA's Pittsburgh office.

U.S. Steel allegedly failed to provide an effective energy control procedure, which is considered a willful violation because the employer either disregarded requirements of the law or was indifferent to employee safety and health.

U.S. Steel spokeswoman Erin McClain DiPietro did not have a comment on the citation. A Power Piping declined to comment on the citation or say whether the company will appeal.

The companies have 15 business days to appeal."