The company, Georgia Pacific, also failed to follow basic procedures to make sure machinery would not accidentally turn on. 

After completing its investigation, L&I cited and fined the company $648,292 in August for violations of fundamental safety rules that contributed directly to the worker’s death, along with other safety issues identified at the site.

On March 8, a 32-year-old Georgia Pacific machine operator called four times in one hour to ask for help troubleshooting a large piece of equipment for stacking boxes in preparation for shipping. 

Before anyone responded to assist him, co-workers nearby noticed boxes backing up on the conveyor belt and went to investigate. They found the man dead, crushed between the large metal arms that help feed the boxes through the machine and the conveyor belt.  

This video, taken by L&I inspectors, shows how the packing machine works. 

Company removed guards, failed to ensure power shutoff with workers nearby
Both management and workers told inspectors that the permanent machine guards that attached directly to this specific equipment were removed in 2017. They were replaced with a fence built around the machine that did not prevent physical access to parts of the machine that could cause serious injury or death.

Two years ago, Georgia Pacific’s own analysis showed that they needed doors guarding this machine that would not unlock unless power to the machine was shut off. Construction for the installation of the doors was not completed until after the machine operator was killed on the job.  

Machinery can unexpectedly or accidentally get power and start up if the power source isn’t disconnected and locked out. The results can be fatal if someone is near or in equipment when it happens. 

“Tragically, our investigation found this fatal incident could have been prevented,” said Craig Blackwood, assistant director for L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety & Health. “They knew what needed to be done to make this equipment safer, but didn’t take action that could have prevented this worker’s death.”

Employee was working alone
In addition to the energy control and guard removal violations, Georgia Pacific was cited for failing to follow rules protecting employees who are working alone in an isolated area. 

Safety rules require pulp and paper mills to periodically check-in with those workers. Employees at the mill told inspectors they were aware of a policy requiring a lead to check in with employees working alone every two hours. They said it hasn’t been enforced for years. 

The full citation, including a breakdown of the fines, is available online.

The company is appealing L&I’s decision.

Money collected from fines goes into the workers’ compensation supplemental pension fund, helping workers and families of those who have died on the job.