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The Current Situation |
Due to the nature of the Pulp and Paper Industry, EHS managers are faced with the challenging task to reduce risk wherever possible. However, many sites carry out their own Process Hazards Analysis with little corporate direction and a lack of consistency in the methodology and documentation of their PHA’s. Often companies have several operating facilities, each requiring its own HAZOP or PHA study.
Many companies traditionally have a low budget for safety, and lack proper PHA software and trained personnel to carry out the study, because of the lack of PSM resources in-house, many companies often have to spend money on consultants to carry out the studies.
The pulp and paper industry also contains a very high level of job risk. From harvesting trees to the pulp and paper process creates many workplace hazards, including the packaging and shipping of the finished product. The use of timber cutting machinery is the most obvious area of concern for job safety, but the process in the mills is also hazardous. For example, the chemicals used to treat the paper create hazards, while the large machines require maintenance and pose a huge hazard to the maintenance staff.
Security and Vulnerability Analysis (SVA) also plays a role in the Pulp and Paper Industry. Often facilities, camps, and equipment are depots are isolated and as such are vulnerable to threats by natural disasters as well as malevolent forces.
The Pulp and Paper Industry is affected by various parts of the OSHA regulations, including OSHA 1910.119, OSHA 1910.261, OSHA 1910.265, OSHA 1910.266,as well as OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).
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