Washington Authorities Fine Georgia-Pacific Camas Paper Mill Nearly $650,000 After Worker’s Death

The tragic death of a worker at the Camas paper mill operated by Georgia-Pacific has sparked outrage and resulted in a hefty fine of nearly $650,000 from Washington authorities. Machine operator Dakota Austin Cline, 32, lost his life in a horrific accident when he was crushed by a packing machine that lacked proper guards to ensure worker safety.

According to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, Georgia-Pacific had removed permanent guards from the machine in 2017 and replaced them with a fence that proved to be inadequate in protecting workers. The state investigation revealed multiple safety violations at the mill, including the failure to implement necessary protocols to prevent accidental machine activation.

Prior to the fatal incident, Cline had reportedly asked for help multiple times in fixing a piece of equipment, but it wasn’t until co-workers noticed a backup of boxes on the conveyor belt that they discovered his lifeless body. The investigation also found that Cline was working alone at the time of the accident, contrary to safety regulations requiring periodic check-ins for employees in isolated areas.

Craig Blackwood, assistant director for occupational safety and health, condemned Georgia-Pacific for not taking the necessary actions to prevent Cline’s death, stating, “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.”

While a representative of Georgia-Pacific could not be reached for immediate comment, Washington authorities have stated that the company is appealing the fine. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing worker safety in all industries.