USW Local 364 – Graphic Packaging – West Monroe, LA

On Thursday, March 9, 2017, a local union member and General Mechanic at Graphic Packaging in West Monroe, LA, received serious burns while working on the dehumidifier turbine. The complete details are unknown at this time but preliminary information is that an explosion occurred due to a ‘pocket’ of hydrogen gas that may have been ignited by work activities. Work on the turbine was being completed as part of the facility’s annual outage. The system had been locked out and purged several times before the turbine was opened up and taken apart.

The victim received severe burns to the right arm from his wrist to his shoulder, and scattered burns on his left wrist and forehead. He was airlifted to a burn ward in Shreveport, LA. He has since been released from the hospital and is recovering from second degree burns.

Emergency Response Team District Coordinator Lee Morine will assist the family. Health Safety and Environment Staff Steve Sallman will assist the local with the investigation.