OSHA is investigating the death of a worker at a sausage factory in Lawton, OK.
Michael Raper, 26, was in charge of cleaning machinery at the Bar-S Foods plant.
On July 12, Raper was cleaning a piece of equipment when he slipped and fell into it. He lost both of his legs in the incident.
It took an hour and 45 minutes for rescuers to free Raper.
A local fire department official said Raper’s legs were caught in an auger. Rescuers used a forklift to stabilize the auger while cutting it into two pieces to free Raper.
He was then taken to a local hospital, but he had suffered extensive trauma. He died that afternoon.
Bar-S says it’s cooperating with government authorities and the company is launching its own investigation. Bar-S says it has a strong safety track record and is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all its employees.
There’s no word on whether the machine was energized while Raper was cleaning it.
