Wednesday, December 31, 2014

WORKER DIES IN ACCIDENT AT THE FORD ASSEMBLY PLANT IN CLAYCOMO, KS WHEN HE WAS STRUCK BY A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT

Worker dies in accident at the Ford assembly plant in Claycomo, KS when he was struck by a piece of equipment



A worker at the Ford Motor Co. assembly plant in Claycomo was accidentally struck by a piece of equipment and killed there Tuesday morning.

Ford officials did not identify the worker, who died in what they said was an “occupational incident.” They gave no information about where in the plant the accident occurred or any details about what caused it. 

The incident was reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which has started an investigation, including taking photos at the plant and interviewing workers, said Bonita Winingham, OSHA’s acting area regional administrator for the Kansas City area.

Winingham said OSHA learned that the worker was struck by a piece of equipment but did not say what it was being used for. 

“I believe they are building a new assembly line in Claycomo, and a piece of equipment struck and killed this worker,” Winingham said. 

Tuesday’s construction-related death is the second in which a worker was struck by a piece of equipment since Oct. 1 in Missouri, Winingham said. Three such deaths occurred in the state from Oct. 1, 2013, to Sept. 30, 2014.

“These are tragic and preventable deaths,” Winingham said. “We want to express our condolences to the friends and family of the worker.” 

Ford officials issued this statement through a spokesperson for the company: “We are deeply saddened as a Ford Kansas City Assembly Plant worker passed away (Tuesday) morning due to an occupational incident. The safety and security of our team members always is our number one priority. We are launching a full investigation into this matter.”