OSHA still investigating Hwashin accidents

Published 12:00 am Saturday, June 17, 2006

An investigation into a pair of industrial accidents at a Greenville Hyundai supplier is still on going, according to Robert Vazzi, Assistant Area Director of OSHA in Mobile.

&#8220All I can tell you is that we're still investigating,” said Vazzi by telephone on Thursday. &#8220We want to make sure we do a thorough job”

OSHA has six months from the initiation of an investigation to close it.

The two separate accidents at Hwashin America occurred within one week of each other.

The first happened on Feb. 28 and resulted in the death of Michael Mitchell, 29, of Georgiana. On March 7, Brandon D. Ball, 20, of Greenville was struck in the head by a robot welder and fell into a coma. He later recovered.

Mitchell was pinned beneath a steel roller and crushed.

Also, Vazzi confirmed that OSHA had opened an investigation into an April mishap at another Greenville Hyundai supplier, Hysco America. On May 1, the Advocate reported that Sylvester Dixon, 33, of Georgiana was injured when his forearm became trapped between a set of heavy rollers.

Vazzi said no OSHA personnel were currently on-site at either plant and both cases remain under review.

Hysco processes steel sheeting for use at the Hyundai plant in Hope Hull. Hwashin manufactures chassis and body parts.