US authorities investigate accidental death at BFGoodrich plant

Woodburn, Indiana – The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other authorities are investigating the accidental death of a worker at the BFGoodrich plant in Woodburn, near Fort Wayne.

Sean Redden, 48, was crushed to death 28 Jan by an industrial press while performing maintenance at the tire factory.

United Steelworkers Local 715, which organises the Woodburn plant, disclosed Redden's death in a letter posted on the union's website.

"The USW is eager to assist in the investigation into its cause and work together with management to prevent another tragedy in the future," Local 715 president Terry Cunningham wrote in the letter.

During his presidency, the Woodburn plant has had an excellent safety record, according to Cunningham.

"We have a joint health and safety committee, and we have monthly meetings and inspections," he said. "We work well together in this aspect."

Both Cunningham and Michelin North America Inc., parent company of BFGoodrich, said the investigation is ongoing and that it is too soon to speculate on the cause.

"While an investigation remains open, our primary focus remains on the employee's family and others who work at the site," Michelin said.

The Woodburn plan, opened in 1962, produces both passenger car and light truck tires and has a daily capacity of about 21,000 units per day, according to ERJ's most recent Global Tire Report.