60-year-old Steven Wade of Oak Creek, the Caterpillar worker injured after being struck by a steel plate Thursday, May 10 has died

Medical examiner: Caterpillar worker injured on the job dies from his injuries
May 15, 2018



 

SOUTH MILWAUKEE, WI — 

The Caterpillar worker injured after being struck by a steel plate Thursday, May 10 has died, the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed.

The medical examiner’s office identified the man as 60-year-old Steven Wade of Oak Creek. He died from his injuries on Monday, May 14.

Officials say Wade was welding plates at the time of the incident.

Caterpillar released the following statement:


“We are deeply saddened by the death of our employee who was involved in an incident in our South Milwaukee facility on May 10. Our thoughts and prayers are with this employee’s family, friends and co-workers. The company has arranged for counseling to be available to employees who may request it.”

“We strive each day to have a safe workspace for our employees, contractors and visitors. Caterpillar is a company firmly committed to protecting the health and safety of its employees at the South Milwaukee facility and at all Caterpillar facilities around the world.”

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been involved in the investigation of the incident.

OSHA has up to six months to complete its investigation, and issue citations and propose penalties if violations of health and safety regulations are found. 

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Medical examiner releases the name of Oak Creek man killed in Caterpillar accident
Erik S. Hanley, Now News Group Published 12:14 p.m. CT May 15, 2018 | Updated 2:05 p.m. CT May 15, 2018

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(Photo: Erik S. Hanley, Now News Group)


SOUTH MILWAUKEE - The 60-year-old Caterpillar employee struck by a heavy metal plate May 10 has died.

Steven E. Wade of Oak Creek was pronounced dead May 14 as a result of his injuries, according to a report released May 15 by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner.

Wade was admitted May 10 to Froedtert Hospital, 9200 W. Wisconsin Ave., for "traumatic crushing injuries from a work-related accident," the report stated. He suffered several rib fractures, a collapsed lung, asphyxia, spinal fractures, and developed seizures, according to the report.

"We are deeply saddened by the death of our employee who was involved in an incident in our South Milwaukee facility on May 10," Lisa Miller, media relations for Caterpillar, said in a statement May 15. "Our thoughts and prayers are with this employee’s family, friends, and co-workers."

As the company did after the incident occurred, Caterpillar is again offering counseling to any employees who request it.

Wade was working in the weld shop at Caterpillar, Inc., 1100 Milwaukee Ave., when he was seriously injured by a heavy steel plate. Police received a call about the accident at 2:01 p.m., according to a news release from the South Milwaukee Police Department.

Following the accident, production employees were sent home for the day, Miller said.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating along with the South Milwaukee Police Department and the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.

Employee of a contractor who was baling scrap metal at the Matanuska-Susitna Borough's Central Landfill died after he was crushed by the scrap metal baling machinery

Worker dies in accident at Mat-Su landfill

A man was killed by machinery in a work-related accident Monday morning while working at the Matanuska-Susitna Borough's Central Landfill, officials said.


The man was employed by a contractor that was baling scrap metal at the landfill, 1201 N. 49th State Street in Palmer, according to a borough statement.


He was crushed by the scrap metal baling machinery, Alaska State Troopers said Monday.


An ambulance was called at 9:11 a.m., troopers said. He was not able to be resuscitated and was declared dead.


Two people with the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health section of the state's department of Labor and Workforce Development were on the scene Monday.



Alaska State Troopers were notifying the person's family about the death, and an investigation was ongoing. No foul play was suspected, troopers said. 


Industrial Accident at Landfill
Mat-Su | Patty Sullivan | Monday, May 14, 2018

A work-related death occurred at the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Central Landfill this morning, May 14. The Alaska State Troopers are on scene.

A call for an ambulance occurred at 9:11 am.

A contractor was baling scrap metal at the landfill when the incident occurred. The worker was an employee of the contractor. The contractor involved with the incident is working with authorities.

The Mat-Su Borough notified AKOSH, the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health section with the Labor Standards & Safety Division. Two AKOSH representatives are on site.

Troopers are in the process of notifying the person’s family. An investigation is ongoing.

The Landfill is located at 1201 N 49th State St. in Palmer.

For more information contact Alaska State Trooper’s PIO Megan Peters at (907) 269-5413.

A 68-year-old driver in critical condition after he crashed into a road crew Tuesday morning, killing at least one worker in West Fort Worth, Texas

A road crew worker was killed after a possibly impaired driver in a truck hit them in western Fort Worth Tuesday morning, police said.

Patrol units were dispatched about 10 a.m. to Camp Bowie Boulevard and Linkcrest Drive.

The driver of the truck hit the road crew worker, who was working when the crash happened, police said.


The driver had to be extricated from the truck and was hospitalized in critical condition, police said.


The victim died at the scene.

No other information was available.



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A 68-year-old driver crashed into a road crew Tuesday morning, killing at least one worker in West Fort Worth, police said.

Police were sent to Camp Bowie West Boulevard and Linkcrest Drive, near Interstate 30, about 10 a.m. to investigate the crash.

A 44-year-old worker died at the scene. Officials haven't released the worker's name.

Police initially said the driver may have been intoxicated, but other media reports suggested he may have suffered a medical emergency.

The driver was rushed to a hospital in critical condition, according to KXAS-TV (NBC5). His name has not been released.

California OSHA issued 11 citations and $86,615 in penalties to UMC Acquisition Corp. in Downey after unguarded moving belts and pulleys resulted in the amputation of a worker’s fingers.

California Cites Company after Worker Suffers Amputation

California OSHA issued 11 citations and $86,615 in penalties to UMC Acquisition Corp. in Downey after unguarded moving belts and pulleys resulted in the amputation of a worker’s fingers. Inspectors concluded that the company failed to assess the workplace for hazards, ensure that proper lockout/tagout procedures were implemented, and install guards on moving machinery.





Company Profile
Sector: Materials
Industry: Metals & Mining
Sub-Industry: Base Metals
UMC Acquisition Corp was founded in 1994. The Company's line of business includes the rolling, drawing, and extruding of nonferrous metals other than copper and aluminum.

Tennessee OSHA issued 12 citations and $57,750 in penalties to Vorteq Coil Finishers LLC in Jackson after an unguarded pinch point resulted in the amputation of a worker’s fingers

Tennessee Cites Company for Violations That Led to Amputation





Tennessee OSHA issued 12 citations and $57,750 in penalties to Vorteq Coil Finishers LLC in Jackson after an unguarded pinch point resulted in the amputation of a worker’s fingers. Inspectors found that the employer failed to provide machine guarding, train workers on the control of hazardous energy and confined space hazards, and inspect cranes.

OSHA has cited Desouza Framing Inc. for exposing employees to dangerous falls at two northwest Florida worksites. The Jacksonville-based residential framing contractor faces proposed penalties of $199,178.

May 4, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Florida Framing Contractor
For Exposing Employees to Dangerous Falls

JACKSONVILLE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Desouza Framing Inc. for exposing employees to dangerous falls at two northwest Florida worksites. The Jacksonville-based residential framing contractor faces proposed penalties of $199,178.

OSHA inspected a worksite in Jacksonville in October 2017 after observing the company’s employees performing roofing activities at heights up to 11 feet without fall protection. The Agency conducted a second inspection two months later at a jobsite in St. Johns where inspectors saw employees working at heights of up to 22 feet without fall protection. OSHA cited the employer for two willful citations for failing to ensure the use of fall protection. The inspections were part of the Agency’s Regional Emphasis Program for Falls in Construction.

"Employers are required to provide employees with fall protection when they work at heights of six feet or higher," said Brian Sturtecky, OSHA Jacksonville Area Office Director. "Desouza Framing Inc. is putting workers at risk of serious injury by failing to comply with the Agency’s fall protection standards."

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education, and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

OSHA has cited Premier Behavioral Health Solutions of Florida Inc. and UHS of Delaware Inc., the operators of Bradenton-based Suncoast Behavioral Health Center, for failing to protect employees from violence in the workplace. Proposed penalties total $71,137.

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Florida Health Facility
for Exposing Employees to Workplace Violence

BRADENTON, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Premier Behavioral Health Solutions of Florida Inc. and UHS of Delaware Inc., the operators of Bradenton-based Suncoast Behavioral Health Center, for failing to protect employees from violence in the workplace. Proposed penalties total $71,137.

OSHA responded to a complaint that employees were not adequately protected from violent mental health patients. OSHA cited Premier Behavioral Health Solutions of Florida Inc. and UHS of Delaware Inc., subsidiaries of Universal Health Services Inc., for failing to institute controls to prevent patients from verbal and physical threats of assault, including punches, kicks, and bites; and from using objects as weapons. Another UHS subsidiary was cited in 2016 for a deficient workplace violence program.

“This citation reflects a failure to effectively address numerous incidents over the past two years resulting in serious injuries to employees of the facility,” said Les Grove, OSHA Tampa Area Office Director.

Premier Behavioral Health Solutions of Florida Inc. and UHS of Delaware Inc. have 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education, and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

Welcome to Palm Shores

Since 1985, we have been dedicated to providing quality mental health treatment to our community’s youth.  Palm Shores Behavioral Health Center provides comprehensive mental health care and education services for at risk children and adolescents, families and our community.
Palm Shores Behavioral Health Center is an intensive inpatient psychiatric program for males and females, ages 5 – 17 years old.  Our Board Certified Psychiatrist, Dr. Jaime Barker, has provided intensive residential treatment services to children and adolescents for over thirty six years. He is a nationally recognized expert in his field. We offer a highly structured supportive and safe environment for children and adolescents who are experiencing behavioral, emotional, family and social challenges.
Treatment involves a multi-disciplinary team of clinical staff, including psychiatrists, mental health therapists, expressive and recreational therapists, registered nurses, mental health technicians and certified teachers.
The program is designed to re-establish healthy behaviors while successfully transitioning residents back into the family, home, school and community as soon as possible.
Palm Shores is a fully licensed specialty Residential Treatment Center (RTC), accredited by the Joint Commission.  We are a network provider for most major insurance plans with residential treatment benefits, TRICARE® and ChampVA-certified in addition to managed care Medicaid.
TRICARE® and ChampVA Certified
Palm Shores Behavioral Health Center provides services to our military families, supporting those who have supported us. Specialized services in our trauma informed care environment are utilized to include opportunities for individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, certified behavioral analyst services, expressive therapies, therapeutic family (home) assignments, and community outings.

OSHA cited Oldcastle Lawn & Garden Inc. after a workplace safety inspection found 36 violations that put employees at risk. Faces proposed penalties of $251,108

May 8, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Georgia Manufacturer
For 36 Safety And Health Violations

SHADY DALE, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Oldcastle Lawn & Garden Inc. after a workplace safety inspection found 36 violations that put employees at risk. The Shady Dale, Georgia, manufacturer of mulch and other products faces proposed penalties of $251,108.

Inspectors cited the company for safety and health violations, including amputation, struck-by, caught-in, electrical, and fall hazards; fire hazards from accumulated combustible dust; and exposure to excessive noise levels, and hazardous energy during machine servicing and maintenance. The inspection was part of OSHA's National Emphasis Program on Amputations.

"Employers are required to assess their workplace for potential hazards," said William Fulcher, OSHA Atlanta-East Area Office Director. "Unfortunately, this employer failed to correct a wide-range of safety deficiencies and needlessly put their employees at risk of serious injury."

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education, and assistance.

OSHA cited U-Haul Company of New York & Vermont, doing business as U-Haul Moving & Storage at Larkin District, for exposing its employees to asbestos and silica hazards while performing renovation work at its 665 Perry St. storage facility in Buffalo. The company faces $108,095 in proposed fines.

U.S. Department of Labor


April 27, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Buffalo U-Haul Facility for Exposing
Employees to Asbestos and Silica During Building Renovation

BUFFALO, NY – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited U-Haul Company of New York & Vermont, doing business as U-Haul Moving & Storage at Larkin District, for exposing its employees to asbestos and silica hazards while performing renovation work at its 665 Perry St. storage facility in Buffalo. The company faces $108,095 in proposed fines.

OSHA inspectors found that the U-Haul dealer did not monitor the work area to determine if asbestos and crystalline silica were present, and failed to provide employees with respiratory protection, protective clothing, and training on asbestos and silica hazards; properly dispose of asbestos-containing materials; have a competent person oversee renovation work; and provide a decontamination room.

“Employers must monitor the work area for the presence of these highly hazardous substances, and put in place effective controls to protect employees from exposure,” said Michael Scime, OSHA Buffalo Area Office Director.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

OSHA Issues Direct Final Rule Revising Beryllium Standard for General Industry; Delays Enforcement of Certain Provisions

OSHA Issues Direct Final Rule Revising Beryllium Standard for General Industry; Delays Enforcement of Certain Provisions



On May 4, OSHA issued a direct final rule clarifying aspects of the beryllium standard for general industry as it applies to processes, operations, and areas where workers may be exposed to materials containing less than 0.1% beryllium by weight. The direct final rule will go into effect on July 4 unless OSHA receives significant adverse comments by June 4. For details, see the news release.

OSHA also announced that it will begin enforcing certain requirements of the beryllium final rule, including the permissible exposure limits in the general industry, construction, and shipyard standards; and the exposure assessment, respiratory protection, medical surveillance, and medical removal provisions in the general industry standard.

The agency will delay enforcement of other ancillary provisions for general industry until June 25, 2018. The Agency plans to issue a proposal to further extend this compliance date for the ancillary provisions to Dec. 12, 2018. 

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OSHA Trade Release

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U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Office of Communications
Washington, D.C. www.osha.gov
For Immediate Release

May 4, 2018
Contact:  Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999

OSHA Issues Direct Final Rule Revising Beryllium Standard
For General Industry

WASHINGTON, DC – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today issued a direct final rule (DFR) clarifying aspects of the beryllium standard for general industry as it applies to processes, operations, or areas where workers may be exposed to materials containing less than 0.1% beryllium by weight.
The DFR clarifies the definitions of Beryllium Work Area, emergency, dermal contact, and beryllium contamination.  It also clarifies provisions for disposal and recycling, and provisions that the Agency intends to apply only where skin can be exposed to materials containing at least 0.1% beryllium by weight.
The direct final rule will become effective on July 6, 2018, unless the Agency receives significant adverse comments by June 6, 2018.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

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OSHA Trade Release

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U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Office of Communications
Washington, D.C. www.osha.gov
For Immediate Release

Date: May 10, 2018
Contact:  Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999

OSHA Announces Delayed Enforcement
of Certain Provisions of the Beryllium Standard

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) confirmed in a memorandum today that it will begin enforcing certain requirements of the final rule on occupational exposure to beryllium in general industry, construction, and shipyards on May 11, 2018. Those requirements include the permissible exposure limits in the general industry, construction, and shipyard standards; and the exposure assessment, respiratory protection, medical surveillance, and medical removal provisions in the general industry standard.
Aside from these requirements, other ancillary provisions included in the beryllium standard for general industry will not be enforced until June 25, 2018. However, under the terms of settlement agreements with petitioners who challenged the rule, the Agency plans to issue a proposal to further extend this compliance date for the ancillary provisions to Dec. 12, 2018.
OSHA previously proposed to remove the ancillary requirements from the beryllium standards for the construction and maritime industries.  In accordance with that proposal, OSHA will enforce the permissible exposure limits, but will not enforce any other provisions for beryllium exposure in those standards unless it provides notice.
Certain compliance dates outlined in the rule remain unchanged. Enforcement of the general industry requirements for change rooms and showers will begin March 11, 2019; and requirements for engineering controls will begin March 10, 2020.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

Pascual Gonzalez-Hernandez, 42, died after becoming trapped between a laundry conveyor belt and a dryer at the Ecodirect Laundry in north suburban Niles, Illinois

NILES, IL — 
 
Niles police opened a death investigation into what they said appears to be an accident at Ecodirect Laundry, an industrial-scale laundry facility in the 6900 block of N. Austin.

The victim was identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office as Pascual Gonzalez-Hernandez, 42, of the 5700 block of Ridge Avenue, Chicago. Police said the death appeared to be accidental, but the investigation remains open pending toxicology tests by the medical examiner.

Gonzalez-Hernandez was working alone just before 10 p.m. Tuesday (May 8) when police said video surveillance showed he attempted to retrieve a towel caught hanging on a dryer in front of a conveyor belt system. He apparently became trapped between the conveyor and dryers. Police said the conveyor system is seen in surveillance moving up then stopping after Gonzalez-Hernandez went to retrieve the towel.

Another employee discovered Gonzalez-Hernandez’s body shortly before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday when checking to see why the washer and dryer system was not working.

Niles Fire Dept. Lt. Rich Scipioni was the commander of responding fire units at the scene. He described the conveyor system as moving wet clothing dropped in tight mounds on the belt (called “pods”) from the washer to the dryer. The conveyor belt is about three feet wide but can stand as tall as seven feet off the ground. The conveyor system itself can be moved by an operator both vertically and horizontally to move laundry between the appropriate machines, Scipioni said.

Police said officials with the medical examiner’s office responded to the scene and transported the man’s remains.



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A 42-year-old Chicago man died Tuesday night in an industrial accident after becoming trapped between a laundry conveyor belt and a dryer in north suburban Niles.

About 10:40 p.m., officers were sent to EcoDirect Laundry and Cleaners, 6977 N. Austin, for a report of a man stuck in a conveyor belt, Niles police said in a statement.

Pascual Gonzalez-Hernandez was found dead at the scene, according to police. Investigators believe he was trying to remove a towel that was hanging from the dryer in front of the conveyor belt when he became stuck about 10 p.m.

He was found by another employee when they noticed a washer and the dryer were not working, police said.

An autopsy Wednesday found Gonzalez-Hernandez died of head injuries in an industrial accident, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. He lived in the Ravenswood neighborhood.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Labor was not immediately available to comment.

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NILES, IL — 

The death of a man found trapped in an industrial laundry machine in Niles Tuesday night appears to have been an accident, according to police. Fire and police personnel were called around 10:41 p.m. to Ecodirect Laundry at 6977 N. Austin Ave. for a report that a man had gotten stuck in a conveyor belt used for wet laundry. They found a man stuck between a dryer and a conveyor in the main dryer area of the business, police said. Niles Fire Department paramedics were unable to find any signs of life.

Pascual Gonzalez-Hernandez, 42, of Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, was pronounced dead shortly after 11 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. An autopsy Wednesday found he died as a result of head injuries and ruled his death an accident.


In interviews with police, fellow employees reported they had not seen Gonzalez-Hernandez since about 9:30 p.m., according to Niles Police Cmdr. Robert Tornabene.

A review of surveillance video showed that Gonzalez-Hernandez was working along around 9:56 p.m. when he tried to remove a towel that was hanging from a dryer in front of the conveyor mechanism, Tornabene said.

The video shows the system move upward and then stop, at which point police believe Gonzalez-Hernandez was stuck in the conveyor system and the dryer.

Another employee realized the washer and dryer had stopped working about 30 minutes later and discovered Gonzalez-Hernandez's body after checking on the machines, police learned.

All evidence at the scene indicates the death was accidental, Tornabene said, pending toxicology results from the medical examiner's office. The office determined "crainiocerebral injuries" from an industrial accident was the cause and manner of Gonzalez-Hernandez's death.

Founded in 2002, Ecodirect is an industrial laundry company specializing in cleaning linens for local hotels.

Josh Ellis, 38, died after a CO2 release at Smoky Mountain Opry in Pigeon Forge, TN after a CO2 valve used as a special smoke effect for the show had been left on.

Josh Ellis, 38, fell into a coma in March after walking into a gas-filled room at Smoky Mountain Opry.

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) - An autopsy report released Monday shows the death of a worker at Smoky Mountain Opry in Pigeon Forge earlier this year has been ruled accidental.

Josh Ellis, 38, fell into a coma in March after walking into a gas-filled room at Smoky Mountain Opry. The Opry said a CO2 valve used as a special smoke effect for the show had been left on.

According to the autopsy report, Ellis died shortly after the incident because he was not able to get enough oxygen to his brain. Heart problems and a previous injury also led to his decline.

The medical examiner ruled his death accidental.



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Dad remembers victim of Smoky Mountain Opry CO2 poisoning



Updated: March 08, 2018

 

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) - One of the three victims hospitalized after a CO2 release at Smoky Mountain Opry has died, according to his family.

Josh Ellis, 38, was in a medically-induced coma at UT Medical Center after a CO2 valve that's used as a special smoke effect for the show was left on and filled an isolated tech room with gas.

Josh's dad, Dale Ellis, says the theater was his dream.

"One of the things he often did in his growing up years in elementary school he was kind of the class clown and liked to be the center of attention and so drama kind of met a need for him," said Dale Ellis.

Dale says Josh worked at the Smoky Mountain Opry for one or two years.

"He loved being in the theater, that was his life, it was the thing that made his heart sing and he just loved his job at the Opry," said Dale Ellis.

Josh Ellis was an organ donor who has already benefited out-of-state patients in need.

"We were able to see that wish that he had made several years ago become fulfilled," said Dale Ellis. "It gave us a great sense of comfort and satisfaction knowing that he was able to do that and that other people would be blessed because of it."

His family thanked everyone who prayed for him and for their continued prayers.

"The thing I would want to leave with those who want to know about my son is that he loved life, he was doing what he loved, and that he loved people and he loved his family," said Dale.

Smoky Mountain Opry announced Thursday they are canceling the "Feel the Music" show until March 16 out of respect for Ellis' family. The "Magic Beyond Belief" show will resume on Friday.

In a statement over the weekend, Smoky Mountain Opry owner and CEO David Fee said a carbon dioxide gas release affected a technician in an isolated tech room. The gas is used for the shows' smoke effects.

"In the show, we use CO2 for a special effect," said General Manager Micheal Headla. "Down in this room there is a CO2 valve and the valve is only typically left on for a very very small time. Unfortunately, for reasons that we don't know at this time, it was left on for an extended period of time."

Fee said the CO2 valve being left on caused the room to fill with the gas.

"During this gas release, one of our employees was found unconscious. Two of his fellow technicians, in a heroic effort to solve the problem quickly, went to his rescue. They were also overcome by CO2 gas," said Fee.

Fee released a statement about Ellis' death on Thursday:


We are all heartbroken by the tragic loss of our friend and co-worker, Josh Ellis. Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends and fellow employees during this difficult time. The professional and personal relationships we had with Josh have been a source of enrichment and enjoyment to all of us. He was a wonderful employee and we shall miss him greatly. For all of us, this is devasting news. We ask for your prayers and support during this time.

Ellis' body will be sent for an autopsy. A memorial is tentatively scheduled for next week.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development says it is investigating.

Duke Energy employee, Clarence Silviking, 65, died at the Gallagher Station off Hwy. 111 in New Albany, Indiana

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- 

New Albany Police say a man died in a workplace accident Monday morning at a Duke Energy facility in southern Indiana.

The employee has been identified as 65-year-old Clarence Silviking.

Authorities say it happened at the Gallagher Station off Hwy. 111 in New Albany.

When emergency responders arrived at the scene, they provided aid to Silviking. He was taken to U of L Hospital, but died from his injuries.

A Duke Energy spokesperson released the following statement after Silviking's death:


It is with deep sadness that we confirm that this morning a Duke Energy employee sustained fatal injuries while working at Gallagher Station in New Albany, Ind. We don’t have other details to share at this time, but we will be doing a thorough investigation. We extend our deepest, heartfelt sympathies to the employee’s family and friends, including those with whom he worked.

The investigation into the accident is ongoing.