Legal news for Washington employment attorneys. A worker who was reported missing on Christmas Day was found in a salt pile.
Washington employment lawyers alerts- A worker was found dead in a salt pile after being reported missing.
Longview, WA—A worker who was reported missing at a Longview chemical plant on Christmas Day was found dead on Sunday, December 27, 2009 in a massive pile of salt. The worker was reported missing around 4:30 p.m. at the Equa-Chlor plant, while on his Christmas Day shift, as reported by KATU.
The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, Longview Fire Department, and search-and-rescue dogs were dispatched to the Weyerhauser complex to search for 25-year-old, Justin J. Florek. Rescue teams scoured nearly 45,000 tons of salt by hand and by excavators, when they discovered Florek’s stocking cap two days after he was reported missing. The Cowlitz County Coroners Office stated that according to their preliminary examination, it did not appear that foul play was involved, nor did they find any obvious injuries; suffocation appears to be the obvious cause of death. It is unknown how Florek ended up in the massive pile of salt. Equa-Chlor reportedly uses the salt mixed with water and electricity to make chlorine and caustic soda. Police officials are reportedly conducting a full investigation into the fatal incident. The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) are also expected to conduct an investigation as well.
Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for Washington employment lawyers.
