James Currier, 38, of Shelbyville was cleaning and sanitizing equipment at the plant when the accident happened. He worked for QSI, a unit of The Vincit Group.
“We’re saddened by the death of an employee of a contract cleaning company working at our Shelbyville plant,” said Gary Michelson, a Tyson spokesman. “It happened early Tuesday morning when the plant was not in operation but was being cleaned and sanitized. While details of the incident are being reviewed, we can tell you it happened while the worker was cleaning some equipment. OSHA has been contacted by the contract cleaning company. The plant did not operate Tuesday.”
Tyson expects plant operations to resume on Feb. 18, Michelson added.
Gene Bouleware, director of communication at The Vincit Group, said in a statement that QSI has launched its own investigation and will be working closely with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which also is investigating the accident.
“It is with heart-felt sadness that we must report the loss of a team member at our QSI Shelbyville operation,” Bouleware said. “Our sympathies and condolences go out to the family members and our fellow team associates. Our first concern is to assist the family with any needs that they may have and we will continue to be in contact with them.”
