2004-07-19 - Montreal mill achieves OHSAS 18 001 certification for occupational health and safety.
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First pulp and paper mill in Canada
and second in North America become certified
Montréal (Québec), July 19, 2004 – Kruger Inc. has announced today that the Kruger Place Turcot Mill has obtained registration under the OHSAS 18 001 health and safety standard, making it the first pulp and paper mill in Canada and the second mill in North America to obtain this certification. As soon as it had completed quality management system ISO 9001-2000 recertification and environment management system ISO 14 001 registration in 2002, the mill concentrated its efforts on implementing occupational health and safety standards under OHSAS 18 001 system.
OHSAS 18 001 is structurally very similar to the ISO standards, which made incorporating it into their "Integrated Management System (IMS)" that much easier. Essentially, the OHSAS 18 001 management structure requires companies to audit every workstation for potential health and safety hazards. Every activity is then evaluated, and related hazards are analyzed and rated in terms of predetermined criteria. An action plan addressing every high-risk component is then developed to establish a control procedure and prevent accidents. And none of this would have been possible without the commitment and "can-do" attitude of the Place Turcot employees.
"Becoming OHSAS 18 001-certified demonstrates to our clients, government agencies, suppliers, the public and employees the importance we give to having appropriate management systems in place in all our sectors of activity, and to monitoring our operations, thereby creating a working environment conducive to success", says Place Turcot Mill Manager Gilles Labbé. In keeping with Kruger policy, Place Turcot's occupational health and safety is now an integral part of the Company's continuous improvement process and capital investment programs. "Congratulations to the entire team at Place Turcot for their efforts in making this realization a success", added Mr. Labbé.
The Place Turcot mill is one of the largest recycling linerboard mills in Canada and was a forerunner in this sector. Back in 1961, well before anyone showed any interest in recycling and using recovered fiber in the manufacturing process, this environmentally oriented facility specialized in the production of 100% recycled linerboard, both white top and brown.
With its manufacturing processes designed to minimize any environmental impact, the Place Turcot mill has won several industry awards for innovation in energy conservation. The mill's product line includes linerboard for the corrugated box industry, newsprint wrapper and other specialty items. Health Canada has approved the mill's linerboard for food contact packaging. Kruger linerboard is renowned for its exceptionally smooth finish, specially designed for superior printing quality in single or multi colour applications. Its high bursting strength, tear and compression resistance, as well as the look of the finished product, are important additional features.
Kruger is a major pulp and paper company engaged in the manufacturing and sale of newsprint, specialty grades, lightweight coated paper, directory paper, tissue, recycled linerboard, corrugated containers, lumber and wood products.
Scott Paper Limited, a member of the Kruger Company, is the leading tissue manufacturer in Canada. Scott Paper serves the Canadian consumer market with well-known brands including Cashmere from Cottonelle, Purex, ScotTowels, Scotties, White Swan, Capri and Viva, as well as away from home products for industrial and commercial use across Canada.
The Kruger company has operations in Québec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador, the United States, United Kingdom and employs over 10,500 people.
Information
Jean Majeau
Vice President, Corporate Affairs
Tel. : (514) 343-3213
Courriel : jmajeau@kruger.com
Web site: www.kruger.com
