The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited a paperboard mill in New York for exposing their workers to over 60 various safety and health hazards. These citations were issued after an inspection at the Carthage, NY based facility.

Carthage Specialty Paperboard Inc. was inspected on December 27 last year after OSHA received a complaint about potential unsafe conditions. They found multiple safety hazards that posed a risk to workers, particularly hazards that posed an amputation risk to workers. They found over 20 different accounts of machines that did not have safety guards which would prevent amputation. They found that machines did not have locks to prevent them from accidentally starting during maintenance or cleaning, and the company had not done a periodic, or at least once a year, inspection of energy control procedures. Employees were using vehicles that were not in safe operating condition, an emergency stop button on a machine was not functioning.

Beyond the amputation hazards, employees were exposed to electrical and chemical hazards because they did not have proper personal protective equipment and were not trained in the correct use of personal protective equipment. Workers were provided with only large or extra-large rain gear when cleaning with the chemical Busperse 289. They failed to implement a written confined permit space entry program and did not test the spaces for atmospheric hazards before allowing workers to enter. They did not have the proper rescue procedures in place in the event a worker became overcome by the fumes. Some exit doors were tied shut and could not be opened.

A list of citations can be found here and here. They are facing fines of $357,445 for 61 identified safety and health hazards. The company intends to contest the findings.

Read the OSHA press release here.