Friday, September 9, 2016

OSHA investigating death of Burnett Dairy Cooperative employee who was exposed to toxic chemicals in Alpha, WI











Dennis Marschall


POLK COUNTY, WI- The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the death of a 68-year-old Polk County man who died after allegedly being exposed to toxic chemicals as part of his job as a field technician with Burnett Dairy Cooperative of Alpha.

Dennis Lin Marschall died Friday, Sept. 2, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul. Unconfirmed reports say he was working at a Frederic area farm when the exposure occurred and that he was initially treated at a local hospital after experiencing difficulty in breathing. From there he was airlifted to Regions.

He was a 12-year employee of the cooperative.

Mark Hysell, regional director for OSHA out of Eau Claire confirmed that two of his agents have been assigned to the case.

“It’s an ongoing investigation and very new in the process. We are still acquiring evidence and conducting interviews,” he said. He refrained from releasing details regarding the nature of the case, only to say it was “an unfortunate incident.”

Response to calls made to Burnett Dairy Cooperative had not been received as of press time.

A memorial service for Marschall will be held Thursday, Sept. 8, at 11 a.m. from the Balsam Lutheran Church in rural Amery. Visitation is this evening, Sept. 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Williamson-White Funeral Home and also one hour prior to the service on Thursday. - See more at: http://www.wcregisteronline.com/content/osha-investigating-death-bdc-employee#sthash.LAMCuvg0.dpuf