Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office releases new details, name of contractor who died in accident at Sasol
Wednesday, April 5th 2017, 1:50 pm EDTWednesday, April 5th 2017, 3:28 pm EDT
By KPLC Digital StaffWESTLAKE, LA (KPLC) -
A contractor died while working at Sasol Wednesday morning, said Kim Cusimano, manager of public affairs with Sasol North American Operations.
Tyler J. Truett, 24, of Sulphur, fell from scaffolding "located several feet in the air," said Kim Myers, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office spokeswoman. The death appears to be accidental.
Deputies were called to Sasol at 10:50 a.m., Myers said. When deputies arrived, Truett was deceased.
Cusimano said Sasol cannot "speak to the cause of the accident," but said a thorough investigation will be conducted by Sasol, FTI and Performance Contractors.
"It is with deep sadness that we can confirm the loss of a contractor’s employee this morning while working at the Sasol project site in Westlake," Cusimano said. "This is a sad day for Sasol and our team on site. Our thoughts are with the employee’s family at this difficult time."
Emergency responders provided backup to site emergency responders, Cusimano said. She said the death has also been reported to the appropriate federal and state regulatory authorities.
Performance Contractors, Inc., is a Baton Rouge-based company which has provided industrial construction and maintenance services since 1979. According to its website, the company is licensed in 30 states.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lists three fatalities since 2010, stemming from two events involving Performance Contractors, Inc.
In March 2010, an employee working at a Plaquemine facility was killed after being run over by an 18-wheeler. A May 2011 incident report reveals two employees were killed by toxic gasses while working in a confined space. Those fatalities were at a different facility in Plaquemine, according to OSHA.
Performance Contractors, Inc., lists a number of safety awards it received, most recently announcing on social media that it received the Southern Company Triangle Award.
KPLC has reached out to Performance Contractors, Inc. at its Sulphur office and Baton Rouge Headquarters with no response.