OSHA reps on scene of fatal industrial accident

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.neoshodailynews.com/news/x1059369117

By Todd G. Higdon
Neosho Daily News
Tue Jan 29, 2008, 01:53 PM CST

Seneca, Mo. -

Representatives with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration are on the scene of a fatal accident which claimed the life of Larry Poe, 42, Neosho, at the Milnot plant in Seneca late Saturday.

The Kansas City office opened an investigation Monday.

“They are still there and I have no particulars as of yet,” said Barbara Theriot, area director for OSHA’a Kansas City area office. “When we get a fatality investigation or any investigation, from the date that the incident occurred, we have six months to complete our investigation. And usually on a fatality, it takes a long time.”

According to Maribeth Badertscher, director of corporate communications for J.M. Smucker Co., Poe was “not an employee of the Milnot Company: He was an electrician working for one of our vendors.”

An e-mail statement from Badertscher regarding the accident read, “We are deeply saddened by the accident at the Seneca facility and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Larry Poe. Mr. Poe was employed by a vendor of the Milnot Company. We immediately notified the appropriate authorities, including the regional office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. We are committed to working closely with them to thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident.”

Milnot manufactures condensed and evaporated dairy products.

In 2004, Milnot Holding Corp.’s milk division and its Seneca manufacturing plant were sold to Eagle Family Foods Holdings Inc. In 2007, that company became part of J.M. Smucker Co.