U.S. Department of Labor Cites Global Packaging Manufacturer After Employee Suffers Severe Steam Burns in Queen City, Texas

QUEEN CITY, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Graphic Packaging International LLC – an Atlanta, Georgia-based paper product manufacturer – for exposing employees to hot steam, and failing to ensure the use of proper hazardous energy control methods. The company faces $211,400 in proposed fines.

OSHA launched an investigation of the Queen City, Texas, facility after hot steam burned an employee 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 OSHA Area Director Basil Singh, in Dallas, Texas. “Using safe energy control procedures could have prevented this injury.” 

OSHA 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.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.