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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-8151
Stone Container Corp. has agreed to pay $690,000 in
penalties and to implement improvements at facilities in nine states as a
result of an April 13, 1994, accident. The Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) proposed the penalties following its investigation into
the accident that killed three employees and injured five others.
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and
Health Joseph A. Dear said, "We are pleased that Stone Container has agreed to
settle this matter, and to aggressively address all causes of the accident.
"The agreement avoids the cost and burden of possible
prolonged litigation and furthers the efforts of both OSHA and Stone Container
to assure safe workplaces for all its employees nationwide."
The Panama City, Fla., pulp mill was cited Sept. 30, 1994,
for alleged violations of OSHA standards. The employees were injured and killed
when a wood chip pulp digester ruptured and the resulting release of pressure
blew the digester 300 feet up through and beyond the mill roof. Workers were
exposed to flying debris and hot wood pulp. OSHA's proposed penalty was
$1,072,000.
In addition to paying the settlement penalty, the company
has agreed to continue its new practices relating to the inspection,
maintenance, repair and alterations to the digesters corporate-wide. All
pressure vessels in Stone Container's facilities will be inspected, maintained,
repaired, altered, and measured in accordance with the National Board
Inspection Code (NBIC), and to the extent required by the NBIC, the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel code. Alterations
and repairs will be approved by an authorized inspector when required by the
NBIC.
Stone Container employs 600 workers at the site who
manufacture pulp and liner board. The workers are represented by the United
Paperworkers International Union, the International Association of Machinists,
the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Office Professional
Employees International Union.
In addition to Panama City, Fla., Stone Container has
facilities in Coshocton, Ohio; Florence, S.C.; Hodge, La.; Hopewell, Va.;
Missoula, Mont.; Ontonagon, Mich.; Port Wentworth, Ga.; and Snowflake,
Ariz.
This news release is on the Internet World Wide Web at
http://www.osha.gov/.
OSHA news releases, fact sheets, and other short documents
also are available by "OSHA Fax" for a nominal charge of $1.50 per minute.
Callers should dial 900-555-3400 to access this service.
Information on this news release will be made available to
sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-219-8151.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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