Worker dies in accident at Freudenberg UK seals factory

North Shields, UK -- A worker has died in an industrial accident at Freudenberg Technical Products LP in Newcastle, UK. Michael Joyce, 51, was reported missing by his family when he failed to return home after his shift on Saturday. Press reports indicate that Joyce was found dead inside a machine used to prepare metal components for rubber-to-metal bonding processes.

The company issued a statement saying, "We deeply regret to confirm a fatal accident occurred at Freudenberg Technical Products on Saturday. The HSE is conducting an investigation and the company is co-operating with them. In light of the investigation it would be inappropriate to comment further now."

The company added, "We have extended our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and our thoughts are with them."

The accident is being investigated by the UK Health and Safety Executive. A HSE statement said: The investigation started at 11am on Sunday (October 16) and we were on site until 3.45pm. On Monday (October 17), the HSE inspector requested the assistance and attendance at the scene of two principal specialist inspectors, an electrical engineer and a mechanical engineer.

 

"The team will be looking at how the machine functions and what systems of work were in operation. At this stage, the machine has been taken out of operation until we find the definitive cause of the fatality.''

The North Shields site has two Freudenberg factories, operated by the FDS and Vibracoustic divisions respectively. The accident occured at the Freudenberg Technical Products plant, part of the Freudenberg Dichtungs- und Schwingungstechnik organisation.The plant makes mainly automotive seals and some anti-vibration components.