Region 5 News Release: 13-1788-CHI
Sept. 5, 2013
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976
Email: allen.scott@dol.gov burke.rhonda@dol.gov

Packaging Corporation of America fined $185,560 for 30 safety violations by
US Labor Department's OSHA after worker burned in Tomahawk, Wis., fire

TOMAHAWK, Wis. – Packaging Corporation of America has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 30 safety violations, carrying proposed penalties of $185,560, after a worker was severely burned while attempting to relight a steam boiler in the plant. The incident took place at the Tomahawk pulp and paper mill in March.

"Past explosions arising from similar hazards by this employer have led to tragic incidents. In this case, failing to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors and provide workers with appropriate personal protective equipment is another preventable misstep that has led to serious injuries," said Robert Bonack, OSHA's area director in Appleton. "Packaging Corporation of America must take its responsibility to identify the hazards that exist in its facilities seriously and take necessary precautions to prevent injuries and illnesses."

In 2012, a steam and ash release triggered by fly ash at the Tomahawk plant fatally injured two contractors. In 2008, three workers were killed and another injured during an explosion in the storage area. The company employs 440 workers at the Tomahawk facility and 8,700 corporatewide at facilities in 30 states. Forty-six violations have been cited nationwide in the past five years; the Tomahawk mill accounts for six of those violations, which stemmed from the 2008 incident, and one violation in 2012.

In this investigation, seven repeat safety violations include lack of machine guarding; not providing a suitable eyewash station for workers exposed to corrosive substances; electrical safety hazards, such as legibly marking circuit breakers; using compressed air at greater than 30 pounds per square inch for cleaning purposes; and improperly labeling containers of hazardous materials. OSHA issues repeat violations if an employer previously was cited for the same or a similar violation of any standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. The same violations have been cited at the company's other U.S. locations.

The company was cited for 17 serious safety violations including inadequate precautions to prevent ignition of flammable vapors and require usage of appropriate personal protective equipment to protect against burns; inadequate or lack of adequate guarding on wall openings, floor holes and open-sided platforms; lack of machine guarding on various pieces of equipment, including planers, saws and shafts; lack of machine warning lights; and improperly stored oxygen and gas cylinders. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

Additionally, six other-than-serious citations were issued for poor housekeeping, not marking confined spaces with signage, failing to post load capacities of storage areas, not labeling web sling capacity and failing to have individuals identified on lockout devices. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

The current citations may be viewed at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/Packaging_Corporation_of_America_893779_090413.pdf*

Based in Lake Forest, Ill., Packaging Corporation of America manufactures paper and cardboard boxes.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and notice of proposed penalties to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. If the company does not file or contest within that period, it must abate the cited conditions within the period ordered in the citations and pay the proposed penalties.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Appleton office at 920-734-4521.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.

* Accessibility Assistance: Contact OSHA's Office of Communications at 202-693-1999 for assistance accessing PDF materials.