Impact Plastics Workers Swept Away In Floodwaters As Investigations Begin

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Impact Plastics in Erwin, Tennessee, is at the center of a tragedy that has claimed the lives of at least five workers. As floodwaters from the Nolichucky River surged on September 27, employees were left clinging to a semitruck for hours before being swept away. One worker remains missing, and the community is left mourning.

Gerald O’Connor, the company’s CEO, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life, calling it “devastating.” However, the company now faces intense scrutiny over allegations that workers were not allowed to leave the factory in time. Jacob Ingram, a worker at the plant, has stated that employees were told to move their cars instead of evacuating, which contributed to the deadly situation.

Multiple investigations are now underway. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) are both looking into whether proper procedures were followed and if employees were given enough time to escape. O’Connor has publicly denied the allegations, claiming that workers were told to leave 45 minutes before the floodwaters arrived.

The factory, which produces plastic parts for various industries, has faced safety issues in the past. TOSHA has cited the company for serious violations on multiple occasions, including a significant investigation in 2010. These previous safety concerns will likely be part of the ongoing investigation as authorities work to determine what went wrong.

The victims of this tragedy include Sibrina Barnett, Monica Hernandez, Bertha Mendoza, Johnny Peterson, and Lidia Verdugo. The search for Rosa Maria Andrade Reynoso continues, with authorities still combing the area for any sign of her.

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