OSHA Cited Mill 3 Times Before Fatal Explosion
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Updated: 1:06 PM Jul 30, 2008
OSHA Cited Mill 3 Times Before Fatal Explosion
The Tomahawk paper mill where an explosion killed three workers was cited for safety violations three times in the past ten years.
Posted: 5:06 PM Jul 29, 2008
Reporter: NewsCenter 13 Staff
Email Address: news@weau.com
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The Tomahawk paper mill where an explosion killed three workers was cited for safety violations three times in the past ten years.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Web site shows the violations at the Packaging Corporation of America's Tomahawk plant occurred in 2006 and 2007. An online review dating back to 1998 turned up no other infractions.

The most recent violation was last year, when it was cited but not fined for failing to keep an aisle cleared. The company was cited twice two years ago and paid $887 to settle allegations that machines lacked proper safety guards. OSHA also cited the company's plants in Burlington and Colby in 2001 for safety violations.

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VICTIMS IDENTIFIED

The three men killed in an explosion at a paper mill plant in Tomahawk have been identified.

Lincoln County sheriff's officials say Randy Hoegger of Tomahawk, Donald Snyder of Merrill and Steve Voermans of Tomahawk died in the explosion at the Packaging Corp. of America mill Tuesday.

Another employee, Alex Loka, was injured. Authorities say he was treated at a hospital and released.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Department, OSHA and the company are investigating the explosion.

Investigators are still trying to determine what caused the deadly explosion at a Tomahawk paper mill.

The three workers who died at Packaging Corporation of America were doing maintenance work on top of a recycled fiber tank when it exploded yesterday afternoon.

Loka was injured was standing on a platform at a lower level of the tank.


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