From towering lumber yards to expansive paper mills, the pulp and paper industry is a cornerstone of American manufacturing. It's a vast and evolving sector that produces everyday essentials for both home and workâfrom the familiar tissues, copy paper, and plywood, to less obvious but equally important components for LCD screens, diapers, and bandages. With consumer demand forecasted to increase, the half million people employed in this industry will count on their employers for tools and PPE to keep them safe and productive. Companies can turn to us to deliver the products and services to meet their daily challenges and achieve their long-term goals.
If you'd like to learn about the benefits of working with a team that's dedicated to helping you achieve more, contact us by calling: 1-800-568-2764 or CLICK HERE
XP Max clothing will help keep your workers comfortable, cool, and protected against the dangerous hazards inside a pulp and paper mill. These garments are made from high performance CarbonX CR80 Repel Material, a patented blend of fibers and a proprietary compound that enables the fabric to shed molten metal, hot or flammable liquids, and certain chemicals like sodium hydroxide, sulphuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium chlorate. XP Max garments are non-flammable and won't burn, melt, or ignite. It's perfect for applications like line breaking, ash hopper, tank unloading and recovery boiler smelt deck work. Since they're so versatile, workers won't have to change in and out of their clothing when they go from one task to the next, increasing productivity and decreasing downtime. If you're looking for head-to-toe protection for your team, invest in XP Max clothing.
Health & Safety Hazards
Slips, Trips, and Falls
The floors in a paper mill can cause accidents. To stay out of the ER, employees should wear footwear with non-slip soles that provides adequate traction and is appropriate for the work conditions. It's also important to use common sense, look in the direction that you're walking and avoid distractions, like using a cell phone or tablet. Employees can also avoid falls by keeping walkways free of clutter, using ladders properly, holding the railings on stairways, and deploying personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) where necessary.Struck By/Caught In/Caught Between Incidents
Employees in pulp and paper mills work around powerful machinery and heavy objects, making struck-by, caught-in, and caught-between accidents a constant risk. Hard hats, steel toe footwear, and safety eyewear are among the personal protective equipment (PPE) that prevents injury.Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD)
When workers lift heavy objects, reach overhead, bend into awkward positions, or perform repetitive tasks, they are prone to musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). These conditions include sprains, strains, and other harm to muscles, ligaments, nerves, and tendons. These injuries, and their accompanying costs, can largely be prevented by applying ergonomic principles. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends seven steps in executing an ergonomic process: provide management support and commitment, involve workers, provide thorough training, identify problems, encourage early reporting of MSD symptoms, implement solutions to control the hazards, and evaluate progress.Combustible Dust
Pulp and paper mill personnel who are exposed to wood, paper, or pulp particulate matter face fire and explosion risk. Employers must develop and implement a combustible dust inspection and control plan, establish strict cleaning protocols, and work to eliminate or reduce sources of ignition.Burns
High heat, chemicals, and hot substances, risking alkali/thermal, hot ash, and chemical burns are everyday possibilities in paper mills.These aren't just minor injuries: a single mistep can lead to severe damage. Administrative and engineering controls along with appropriate clothing and face protection can help prevent these injuries.Sharp Surfaces
Cuts and lacerations are a persistent threat in paper mills and can result from exposed screws on machinery, creping and doctor blades, and sheets of baled product. Cut-resistant gloves and sleeves, along with durable clothing like long work pants and coveralls help prevent exposure to cuts and scrapes.Noise
Mill and plant employees are often in loud environments. Prolonged exposure to both loud noise and sudden bursts of noise heavily impact hearing. OSHA requires employers to address hazards to hearing. Controlling noise exposure and using ear plugs and ear muffs prevent hearing loss on jobsites.Hazardous Chemical Exposure
Burns, dermatitis, and inhalation sickness can affect those in workplaces with hazardous chemicals. Employers must use engineering and administrative controls, identification labels, safety data sheets (SDSs), and employee training to limit exposure. Gloves, sleeves, coveralls, respirators, and spray socks are examples of helpful PPE.Extreme Temperatures
Excessive heat makes the work in the pulp and paper field more difficult and puts employees at risk for illness. High heat and humidity causes dehydration, heat stress, and heat stroke. Frequent breaks, proper hydration, and air circulation help workers stay well.Regulations
Recognizing and controlling hazards is essential in averting injuries and deaths in the pulp and paper industry. To prevent these incidents and remain compliant, safety programs should be structured according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA)regulations. A successful program should encompass the hierarchy of controls, training on operational procedures and risks employees might encounter, as well as proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Read below about some of the regulations put in place by OSHA and NFPA.
1910.134
In the control of those occupational diseases caused by breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors, the primary objective shall be to prevent atmospheric contamination. This shall be accomplished as far as feasible by accepted engineering control measures. When effective engineering controls are not feasible, or while they are being instituted, appropriate respirators shall be used.1910.1200(e)(5)
Trainers shall be qualified to instruct employees about the subject matter that is being presented in training. Such trainers shall be satisfactorily completed a training program for teaching the subjects they are expected to teach, or they shall have the academic credentials and instructional experience necessary for teaching the subjects. Instructors shall demonstrate competent instructional skills and knowledge of the applicable subject matter.1910.261 (b) (1)
Devices such as padlocks shall be provided for locking out the source of power at the main disconnect switch. Before any maintenance, inspection, cleaning, adjusting, or servicing of equipment (electrical, mechanical, or other) that requires entrance into or close contact with the machinery or equipment, the main power disconnect switch or valve, or both, controlling its source of power or flow of material, shall be locked out or blocked off with padlock, blank flange, or similar device.1910.138
Employers shall select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.1910.261(c) (2) (ii)
The minimum distance of the pulpwood pile from the centerline of a standard-gage track shall be maintained at not less than 8 ½ feet.NFPA 654
Prevention of fire and dust explosions from manufacturing, processing, and handling of combustible particulate solids.Resources
Tips For Avoiding Scrap Paper Baler Hazards
Paper balers are powerful equipment. They are used to compress large quantities of scrap material into compact units for easier storage and transport.
Choose The Right Cut Resistant Hand Protection
Our hands are important. They help us do so many day-to-day things. Their flexibility, strength, coordination, and sensitivity make them the perfect tools. However, because they do so much, they are one of the most vulnerable parts of the body.
What Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) Is Right For Your Workplace?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires hearing protection whenever employees are at risk of being exposed to average noise levels of 85 decibels (dB) or more throughout an 8 hour workday.
Proper Lockout Tagout Protocols Protect Workers
If you work in power plants, factories, or other facilities that use electricity, you may be familiar with lockout/tagout procedures.
Lift Safely And Prevent Back Injuries
Aches and pains in the back are common complaints. They can stem from a poor nightâs sleep, overexertion in the yard, or a long car ride.
Portable Fire Extinguisher Basics
Fires can be dangerous and costly, and a portable fire extinguisher can be an effective tool to help control or put out early-stage fires.
NSI Brands
With NSI Brands, you can trust that every single product will meet your needs and exceed your expectations. Our exclusive family of safety and industrial supplies combines great style and impeccable value with quality thatâs backed by strict manufacturing processes and third party testing. Try them out today.
Inventory Solutions
Advanced features on northernsafety.com help you manage and streamline your department's spend and ordering processes.
Logo-It Custom Express Printing
Full service customization solutions range from screen printing to embroidery to custom sign special orders.
Technical Services
The Technical Services Department is your source for comprehensive safety solutions. Look to us for equipment rentals, scheduling repairs, and professional maintenance and inspection teams.
Advantage+ Rx Safety Eyewear Program
An easy, cost-effective way to provide safety eyewear for workers who wear prescription glasses.
Shoe Express - Safety Shoe & Boot Program
Supply your team with the proper safety shoes without tedious paperwork or shoemobile logistical hassles.
