OSHA Inspection: NEWMAN & COMPANY

Issued

Dec 6, 2010

Abate by

Dec 24, 2010

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

General-duty citation text

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
recognized 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 hot surfaces, and the
burns were not
assessed and treated in accordance with accepted medical guidelines:
a) Newman and Company, Dry End Department and Wet End Department -
Employees
received serious burns, from heated rollers in the Dry End and Wet End,
and from
uninsulated steam pipes, throughout the plant.  Employees received burns
where the skin
came off, and reported these burns to their Supervisors (Tour Foremen).
The Tour
Foremen treated the burns with first aid, and did not send employees for
additional
medical assessment and treatment.  The Tour Foremen and the did not have
sufficient
medical knowledge and experience, to adequately assess and treat the
frequent
employee
burns.
b) Newman and Company, Dry End Department - Employees, working in the Dry
End
received frequent burns, while reloading the 10 foot wide paper onto
heated rollers after
a paper break.  Employees received burns on their forehead, 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 temperature 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 floor and the bottom of the lower rollers
is 4 feet 6 1/2
inches.  The distance between the floor and the bottom of the upper
rollers is 8 feet 7
inches above the floor.
Employees were given access to the first aid kit, and treated their own
burns.
Employees received burns where the skin came off, and considered them
minor burns,
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 appearance from leaking
fluid, and Possible
loss of some skin.  Further medical treatment 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 burns); Skin
is dry and leathery, and Skin may appear charred or have patches which
appear white,
brown or black.  Immediate medical attention is required. Do not attempt
to treat
serious burns unless you are a trained health professional.
Employees' burns were not properly assessed and treated, as First, Second
and Third
degree burns.  Employees were exposed to potential health hazards from
burns which areuntreated or improperly treated, including:  shock,
localized infection, widespread
infection, scarring, permanent tissue damage, and nerve damage.   Observed
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
Superintendent and Managers, employees in the Wet End and Dry End;
Maintenance
employees, and employees working in other areas of the plant who may be
exposed to
burns, from contact with steam, heated pipes and rollers and other hot
surfaces.
Training on burns should include the signs; treatment; symptoms of
infection; and health
hazards from improperly treated burns, and
2. Ensure that all employees receiving burns are evaluated by qualified
medical
personnel, whether on site on all shifts, or off-site.
3. Consider adding medical personnel to your staff.
ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED

Issued

Dec 6, 2010

Abate by

Dec 9, 2010

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

Issued

Dec 6, 2010

Abate by

Dec 9, 2010

Issued

Dec 6, 2010

Abate by

Dec 24, 2010

Issued

Dec 6, 2010

Abate by

Dec 24, 2010

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $1,750

Issued

Dec 6, 2010

Abate by

Dec 24, 2010

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

Issued

Dec 6, 2010

Abate by

Dec 24, 2010

Issued

Dec 6, 2010

Abate by

Dec 24, 2010