Industrial Accident Kills Worker in Elmira Factory
An overview of the industrial workplace accident and investigation
Michael A. Donahue died Dec. 14 in an industrial accident at Kennedy Valve, a factory in upstate New York. He was making repairs to a hydraulic tabletop in the factory’s mold department when the accident occurred. Donahue was a two-year veteran of the company.
The Syracuse district office of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the accident. According to the Elmira Star Gazette, this was the third fatal accident at Kennedy Valve since 2003. The company makes water system valves and
fire hydrants.
The area director of OSHA’s Syracuse office said that the agency will review the scene; interview witnesses, managers and union representatives; take photos and measurements; and review hazard and safety programs to determine what happened. He also said the agency has sent one investigator to the Elmira factory.
Federal officials will determine if there were any OSHA violations.