Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: BURNS

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which was free from recogni zed hazards that were causing or were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were frequently burned, from contact with ho t surfaces, and the burns were not assessed and treated in accordance with accep ted medical guidelines: a) Newman and Company, Dry End Department and Wet End De partment - Employees received serious burns, from heated rollers in the Dry End and Wet End, and from uninsulated steam pipes, throughout the plant. Employees r eceived burns where the skin came off, and reported these burns to their Supervi sors (Tour Foremen). The Tour Foremen treated the burns with first aid, and did not send employees for additional medical assessment and treatment. The Tour For emen and the did not have sufficient medical knowledge and experience, to adequa tely assess and treat the frequent employee burns. b) Newman and Company, Dry End Department - Employees, working i n the Dry End received frequent burns, while reloading the 10 foot wide paper on to heated rollers after a paper break. Employees received burns on their forehea d, back and arms, from accidental contact with the dryers (rollers). The dryers are a 206 foot long alternating series of upper and lower metal rollers. The tem perature of the dryers ranges from 116 to 313 degrees Fahrenheit. Employees must crouch down under the dryers to reload the paper. The distance between the floo r and the bottom of the lower rollers is 4 feet 6 1/2 inches. The distance betwe en the floor and the bottom of the upper rollers is 8 feet 7 inches above the fl oor. Employees were given access to the first aid kit, and treated their own bur ns. Employees received burns where the skin came off, and considered them minor burn s, which they could treat themselves. An employee in the Dry End received a burn which was over 3 inches long and 1/2 to 3/4 inches wide, in which the skin came off. The employee treated the burn himself. After two weeks, the burn was still not healed. According to CDC, first degree burns involve the top layer of skin, which will show mild swelling. First degree burns usually heal without further treatment. Second degree burn involves the first two layers of skin. Signs of a second degree burn are: Deep reddening of the skin; Pain; Blisters; Glossy appea rance from leaking fluid, and Possible loss of some skin. Further medical treatm ent is required. Do not attempt to treat serious burns unless you are a trained health professional. A third degree burn penetrates the entire thickness of the skin and permanently destroys tissue. Signs of a third degree burn are: Loss of skin layers; Often painless. (Pain may be caused by patches of first- and second-degree burns which often surround third-degree b urns); Skin is dry and leathery, and Skin may appear charred or have patches whi ch appear white, brown or black. Immediate medical attention is required. Do not attempt to treat serious burns unless you are a trained health professional. Em ployees' burns were not properly assessed and treated, as First, Second and Thir d degree burns. Employees were exposed to potential health hazards from burns wh ich areuntreated or improperly treated, including: shock, localized infection, w idespread infection, scarring, permanent tissue damage, and nerve damage. Observ ed on or about June 24, 2010. NOTE: Among other methods, the following feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard are: 1. Provide in-depth training by Medical Personnel, for: Tour Foremen, Mill Super intendent and Managers, employees in the Wet End and Dry End; Maintenance employ ees, and employees working in other areas of the plant who may be exposed to bur ns, from contact with steam, heated pipes and rollers and other hot surfaces. Tr aining on burns should include the signs; treatment; symptoms of infection; and health hazards from improperly treated burns, and 2. Ensure that all employees r eceiving burns are evaluated by qualified medical personnel, whether on site on all shifts, or off-site. 3. Consider adding medical personnel to your staff. ABA TEMENT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED