OSHA won't cite International Paper for Cantonment paper mill explosion

Wednesday, June 14, 2017 11:15 am

OSHA won't cite International Paper for Cantonment paper mill explosion | International Paper, explosion, Florida, mill,

CANTONMENT, Florida (From news reports) -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says International Paper won't be cited or fined for the January explosion at their mill in Cantonment.

A letter from OSHA says a digester at IP exploded when gases built up inside.

OSHA acknowledged the mill's plan to reduce the introduction of gases into the digester. They also encouraged IP to share information about the risk of explosion throughout the industry.

The plant resumed full operations in April after the January 22, 2017, explosion. The explosion caused significant structural damage to the largest pulp digester and the power house, bringing operations at the mill to a halt for just over a week.

The explosion caused an estimated $50 million in damage, most of which IP said was covered by insurance.