(UPDATE) Two injured after paper machine at Rhinelander mill fails

Two Rhinelander paper mill employees suffered minor injuries, and an unknown amount of hydraulic oil was released into the Wisconsin River, Wednesday evening after a paper machine experienced an equipment failure, the Department of Natural Resources and the mill’s parent company, Ahlstrom, have confirmed.
According to a statement released by Ahlstrom spokesperson Tricia Schwartz, one of the two injured employees sought medical treatment and was released to return to work.
In its statement, the company described the incident as an equipment failure on the R6 paper machine.
“The safety and well-being of our employees is our top priority,” the statement reads. “Ahlstrom is taking steps to mitigate potential discharge of oil into the Wisconsin River. We are investigating this matter and will provide updates as more information becomes available.”
According to Rhinelander Fire Chief Brian Tonnancour, firefighters were called to the mill at approximately 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 30 “for a fire risk to electrical equipment due to a steam rupture.”

Firefighters were on scene for approximately one hour, Tonnancour added, noting that his crew did not transport or treat anyone for injuries.
The Star Journal reached out to Chris Saari, team supervisor with the DNR’s Remediation and Redevelopment program (northern region), for more information on the “potential discharge of oil” into the river.
Saari advised that the agency’s regional spills coordinator Jeff Paddock is in contact with mill staff and has visited the site.
“Staff at the paper mill indicated the spill was reported to the DNR’s wastewater program rather than the 24-hour emergency hotline, so (Paddock) instructed the paper mill staff to report the spill through the hotline; this reporting was completed at 3:58 p.m. on May 1,” Saari explained.
“The amount of hydraulic oil spilled is unknown due to site conditions,” he added.
Saari noted that paper mill staff had placed absorbent booms in the river on May 1, “but it was apparent from (Paddock’s) site visit that some sheen had migrated downstream of the booms, so (Paddock) instructed the paper mill staff to bring in an emergency response contractor to help with spill response.”
The paper mill also reduced flow from its wastewater treatment plant, which seemed to reduce the amount of sheen entering the river, he added. In addition, a contractor was on-site Thursday to place an additional boom and another contractor was expected to be at the site Friday morning to take additional actions, Saari said.
On Friday afternoon, Schwartz confirmed that additional contractors were on-site. She also provided additional information as to the mill’s response to the incident.
“In accordance with environmental reporting obligations, Ahlstrom initially reported the release of oil to Ahlstrom’s wastewater treatment plant to the DNR’s Wastewater Program,” she advised. “Ahlstrom then notified the DNR Spills Hotline when visual impacts were observed. Ahlstrom immediately implemented containment measures and contacted response contractors to assist. Paper mill staff proactively placed booms on the river Thursday morning. Mill personnel then discussed with DNR additional safe and effective measures that could be implemented Thursday evening to address sheen migration. The mill also reduced flow through the hydro canal tailrace to increase the effectiveness of the booms.”