The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently cited Graphic Packaging International for exposing employees to hot steam and for failing to ensure the use of proper hazardous energy-control methods. The paper product manufacturer based in Atlanta, Georgia, faces $211,400 in proposed fines.
OSHA launched an investigation of the company’s facility in Queen City, Texas, after hot steam burned an employee who was trying to repair a leak on a steam-line header. OSHA determined the header had been leaking for several months and found the company violated federal safety standards for personal protective equipment (PPE), lockout/tagout and process safety management (PSM).
“Unexpected energy such as steam has the potential to cause severe injuries when proper procedures are absent,” said Basil Singh, OSHA’s area director in Dallas, Texas. “Using safe energy-control procedures could have prevented this injury.”
OSHA currently offers compliance assistance resources on protective equipment, controlling hazardous energy and safely managing hazardous chemicals.
Graphic Packaging International has 15 business days from receipt of the citation and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
For more information, visit www.osha.gov.