The manufacture of pulp and paper is one of the world's oldest and largest industries. Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills in the United States are a world leader in the production of pulp and paper. According to the U.S. EPA, these mills produce 9 million tons of pulp annually and 26 billion newspapers, books, and magazines. They are one of the nation's largest industries made up of approximately 565 manufacturing facilities located in 42 states and employ over 200,000 people.

Pulp and paper manufacturing can also be very hazardous due to massive weights and falling, rolling, and/or sliding pulpwood loads. Workers may be struck or crushed by loads or suffer lacerations from the misuse of equipment, particularly when machines are used improperly or without proper safeguards.

Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills are addressed in specific standards for the general industry.

OSHA Standards

This section highlights OSHA standards, directives (instructions for compliance officers), and standard interpretations (official letters of interpretation of the standards) related to pulp, paper, and paperboard mills.

Note: Twenty-five states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.

Frequently Cited Standards

A listing of the most frequently cited standards by Federal OSHA for Paper Mills Industry Group (SIC code 2620) is available.

Other Highlighted Standards

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

• 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure [related topic page]
  
  
• 1910.106, Flammable and combustible liquids
  
  
• 1910.119, Process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals [related topic page]
  
  
• 1910.145, Specifications for accident prevention signs and tags
  
  
• 1910.146, Permit-required confined spaces [related topic page]
  
  
• 1910.157, Portable fire extinguishers [related topic page]
  
  
• 1910.176, Handling materials - general
  
  
• 1910.212, General requirements for all machines [related topic page]
  
  
• 1910.219, Mechanical power-transmission apparatus
  
  
• 1910.261, Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills
  
  
• 1910.303, General requirements (Electrical) [related topic page]

Directives

• Logging Operations, Inspection Procedures and Interpretive Guidance Including Twelve Previously Stayed Provisions. CPL 02-01-022 [CPL 2-1.22], (1996, September 27). Includes a discussion of the application of logging standards at pulp, paper, and paperboard mills.
  
  
• Alternative Abatement Method for 29 CFR 1910.261(g)(17) - Over-pressure Protection for Batch Digesters Used in the Pulp Processing Industry. CPL 02-01-041, (2004, September 16). Clarifies the options available to employers in providing overpressure protection for batch digesters used in the pulping process under 29 CFR 1910.261(g)(17), Pressure vessels (safety devices).
  
  
• Search all available directives.

Standard Interpretations

• The relationship between the OSHA standards on Permit-Required Confined Space and Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills. (1994, September 16).
  
  
• Highly Hazardous Chemical's (HHC's) as it applies to pulp and paper industry processes that contain chlorine dioxide.( 1994, June 22).
  
  
• Confined Space provisions of 29 CFR 1910.261 in light of the promulgation of 29 CFR 1910.146. (1993, July 7).
  
  
• Calendar stacks used in the pulp and paper industry. (1991, May 1).
  
  
• Interpretation of OSHA standards 1910.261(a)(1) and 1910.261(a)(4)(ii). (1990, June 14).
  
  
• Requirement to pin or lock digester valves. (1975, April 18).
  
  
• Search all available standard interpretations.

Hazards and Solutions

The following references aid in recognizing hazards in the workplace and provide examples of possible solutions.

General

• Fire Hazard From Carbon Adsorption Deodorizing Systems. OSHA Hazard Information Bulletin (HIB), (1997, July 30). Describes the hazards involved and provides recommendations for reducing these hazards.
  
  
• Profile of the Pulp and Paper Industry, 2nd Edition [1 MB PDF, 135 pages]. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Compliance Sector Notebook Project, (2002, November). Contains detailed information on various pulp and paper topics of interest including an industrial process description, a comprehensive environmental profile, innovative control programs, contacts, and a list of bibliographic references.

Noise

• Health Hazard Evaluations: Noise and Hearing Loss 1986-1997. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), (1998, November). Also available as a 72 KB PDF, 12 pages. Investigates the effectiveness of a rotary knife blade enclosure in reducing worker exposure to noise at a paper mill facility [see Health Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance (HETA) 86-437-1818].
  
  
• For additional information, see OSHA's Occupational Noise Exposure Safety and Health Topics Page.

Machine Guarding

• Control of Scrap Paper Baler Crushing Hazards. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-113, (1997, April). Presents hazards, controls and standards associated with paper balers.
  
  
• Machine Operator Crushed in Paper-Pulp Storage Tank. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) New Jersey Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report 99NJ062.
  
  
• Utilities Worker Dies After Being Pinned in a Pulpwood Belt Conveyor at a Paper Company. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Wisconsin Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report 97WI097.
  
  
• Shift Supervisor Dies From Injuries Received After His Arms Were Caught Between Two Paper Machine Rollers--Tennessee. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report 95-13.
  
  
• Paper Mill Maintenance Employee Dies After Being Pinned By The Arm Of A Control Mechanism In A Roll Wrap Machine. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Minnesota Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report 03MN039, (2004, September 23).
  
  
• For additional information, see OSHA's Machine Guarding Safety and Health Topics Page.

Lockout/Tagout

• Journeyman Electrician Electrocuted when Lockout Attempt Fails. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report 89-18.
  
  
• For additional information, see OSHA's Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) Safety and Health Topics Page.

Pressure Vessels

• Pressure Vessels. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Additional Information

Related Safety and Health Topics Pages

• Logging
  
  
• Wood Products Industry

Other Resources

• The Pulp and Paper Industry, the Pulping Process, and Pollutant Releases to the Environment [17 KB PDF, 3 pages]. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Fact Sheet EPA-821-F-97-011, (1997, November). Provides basic information about the US pulp and paper industry, describes how pulp mills bleach the pulp, and discusses where in the pulp and paper-making process toxic pollutants are found.

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