CSB Releases New Safety Video Titled Simultaneous Tragedy: Fire at Evergreen Packaging

Washington D.C. (WorkersCompensation.com) - Today, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) released a new safety video about a fatal incident at the Evergreen Packaging paper mill in Canton, North Carolina. On September 21, 2020, a fire erupted in a confined space when a heat gun fell into a bucket of flammable resin killing two contract workers.

The CSB's safety video includes an animation of the events leading up to the incident, and interviews with both the CSB’s Chairperson and Supervisory Investigator.  

The video notes that during its investigation into the incident, the CSB identified four safety issues that led to the incident at Evergreen Packaging: hot work safety, pre-job planning, confined space safety, and combustible materials of vessel construction. As a result of its investigation, the agency made recommendations to Evergreen Packaging, the Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Blastco – the contract company involved in the incident – to address those safety issues.

Chairperson Lemos concludes the video by saying, “We hope our report and recommendations will further inform industry about the risks inherent to hot work and confined space activities, and how those risks can be successfully mitigated.”

Access the CSB's Investigation Information Page HERE. 

The CSB’s core mission activities include conducting incident investigations; formulating preventive or mitigative recommendations based on investigation findings and advocating for their implementation; issuing reports containing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations arising from incident investigations; and conducting studies on chemical hazards.

The agency's board members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.  The Board does not issue citations or fines but makes safety recommendations to companies, industry organizations, labor groups, and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA. Please visit our website, www.csb.gov.

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