State safety officials investigate fatality at Morristown plant

Safety regulation officials continue to gather details on a fatal incident at a Morristown production plant.

Police were called to Koch Foods on Progress Parkway where a security guard identified as Arlie Ray Russell, 54, was struck while standing between two tractor-trailers in the facility’s loading bay area. A 31-year-old driver was cited for improper backing.

TOSHA agents will investigate the incident and have a report sometime in April.

According to a published report, Koch Foods was fined more than $167,000 by OSHA following a fire in February at one of their poultry plants in Fairfield, Ohio. The report said Koch did not properly inform plant employees about emergency evacuation route or protocols.

The fire resulted in the death of one worker, who died from smoke inhalation, and injured two others.

(IMAGE: General photo Property of Pexels / Becka H)