A 71-year-old worker from New Jersey was found dead inside a bulk liquid container in what officials described as a workplace accident.
The incident occurred Monday, Jan. 19, at the Bayway Chemical Plant in Linden, N.J., according to separate statements from the Linden Police Department and Infineum, the chemical company that operates the facility.
Police said first responders were called to the plant around 2 p.m. local time after reports of a fatal industrial incident.
Investigators believe the man was on top of the container when he accidentally fell inside while working, police said. The victim was identified as a private subcontractor from Iselin, N.J.
Authorities said the 6,000-gallon container was being filled with mineral oil at the time.
Fire personnel recovered the man from the vat, police said, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials have not released his name.
Infineum addressed the incident in a statement posted to its website on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
“At Infineum, one of our goals is to maintain a safe workplace, to ensure that workplace hazards are eliminated or mitigated, and to ensure that each individual working at our site is trained to perform his or her daily duties safely,” the company said.
“Sadly, there are times when something happens, and unfortunately, that is the case today. Our hearts are heavy with the news that we must deliver to you at this time about the loss of life at our facility,” the statement continued.
“We extend our deepest sympathy to those who have lost a family member or friend,” the company added.
Infineum said the plant operates as a lubricant additive production facility.
Linden Police said it is leading the investigation, while the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has opened a separate probe.
Infineum also said it is conducting its own review “to determine exactly what happened, why it happened, and how we can keep this from happening again,” adding that it is cooperating with authorities.
