OSHA investigation into MillerCoors contractor forklift injury ongoing

The MillerCoors Trenton Brewery on Wayne Madison Road. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

By Chelsey Levingston

Staff Writer 

ST. CLAIR TWP. — 

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is continuing to investigate an accident that occurred June 10 at the MillerCoors Trenton Brewery involving a contractor.

The driver of a powered industrial vehicle was unloading materials from a flatbed and backed into the injured party who was adjusting unloaded materials and had his back to the truck, MillerCoors spokesman Jonathan Stern said at the time.

The victim is an employee of Kelley & Carpenter Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc. of Hamilton, according to OSHA.

However, because the investigation is still open, there’s nothing further the federal workplace safety agency can say about it at this time, including the extent of the worker’s injuries and any findings, according to spokeswoman Rhonda Burke.

When company officials at Kelley & Carpenter were reached by phone, they declined comment due to employee privacy concerns and the investigation.
Part of OSHA’s investigation will be examining whether there were any safety violations that could have prevented the accident.

The brewery operates on a more than 1,000-acre campus in St. Clair Twp. outside Trenton.

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OSHA investigates after accident injures MillerCoors contractor

Emergency crews responded Wednesday morning to a reported accident that someone was struck by a forklift at MillerCoors Brewing Company in St. Clair Twp.

By News Staff 

ST. CLAIR TWP. — 

A contractor employee using his own forklift equipment sustained an injury this morning at the MillerCoors Trenton Brewery, 2525 Wayne Madison Road, according to the company.

“He was transported to a local hospital and is receiving treatment for injuries,” said MillerCoors spokesman Jonathan Stern in a statement. “Brewery safety is always our highest priority and our thoughts are with the individual for a quick recovery.”

A name of the contracting company was not disclosed.

The accident occurred around 9 a.m. between the power house and keg storage area, according to Stern.

“The injury occurred after a driver of a powered industrial vehicle was unloading materials from a flatbed and backed into the injured party who was adjusting unloaded materials and had his back to the truck,” Stern said.

The man was taken to Atrium Medial Center to be treated for his injuries, according to Trenton Fire Department, which provided mutual aid to St. Clair Twp. Fire Department.

The brewery operates on a more than 1,000-acre campus in St. Clair Twp. outside Trenton. MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller and Molson Coors. The Trenton brewery opened for operations in 1991. It produces 63 different beer brands and employs about 550 workers.

OSHA is on the scene and has opened an investigation, but hasn’t determined who the worker was or who he is employed by, according to Rhonda Burke, a spokeswoman for the agency.

Besides determining who the contractor worked for, OSHA also will determine if any safety violations occurred and contributed to the incident, Burke said. If so, the employer could be cited by OSHA and face monetary penalties.