Thursday, April 28, 2016 11:30 am

WISCONSIN (From the Wisconsin Radio Network) -- A Wisconsin paper mill faces federal fines in the death of an employee last October. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Clearwater Paper Corporation of Ladysmith $119,000 in the death of 46-year-old Michael Quinlan, who was killed while servicing a high-speed conveyor belt.

OSHA said Clearwater failed to ensure that the equipment was shut off before Quinlan entered a hazardous area -- and that his death was "tragic" and "preventable."

The agency cited the lack of a power lockout as a willful violation, and issued a repeat violation for not following procedures. Clearwater said injury rates at Ladysmith are "well below" the industry average, and plans to meet with OSHA to discuss a settlement of the proposed fines.