HATTIESBURG, MISS. — An employee working at Mar-Jac Poultry Inc. died on July 14 following an accident at the company’s Hattiesburg, Miss., plant.

The worker was conducting sanitation operations at the facility when the accident occurred. 

A report from WDAM-TV stated that the Forest County deputy coroner identified the employee as a 16-year-old Hispanic male from Hattiesburg but did not release his name.

Mar-Jac officials released a statement expressing their condolences to the employee’s family.

“Our employees are our most valuable asset and safety is our No. 1 priority,” said Joe Colee, Hattiesburg complex manager. “We strive daily to work as safely as possible and are truly devastated whenever an employee is injured.”

The company said it immediately notified the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) about the incident, which started an investigation with the full support and cooperation of Mar-Jac. 

The company said it has a comprehensive safety program and conducts extensive and regular training on safe working conditions for all employees.

“Any issues identified in the investigation will be corrected immediately,” Mar-Jac stated.

Two other deaths have occurred at the Hattiesburg facility since 2020, according to local media reports.