Death at Resolute Paper Mill Under Investigation by OSHA

CATAWBA, NC—One worker died and another was injured Jan. 22 following an incident at Resolute Forest Products, a former AbitibiBowater plant, the Rock Hill Herald reported. The two victims were part of a contracted three-man crew who were cleaning a 10x40-ft. fume tank in the plant's power generation area.

An autopsy was performed on Samir Storey, 39, who passed away. His body was not burned, but investigating officials did not rule out the possibility of a chemical incident, such as a leak into the fume tank, according to the newspaper. There was not an explosion.

The other injured contract worker, who was not identified, was treated for a "minor irritation" and transported to the Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill, NC. The third worker was examined at the plant by on-site medical staff, but was unharmed.

Both the York County Emergency Management and the state Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration are investigating the incident.