Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has confirmed a fourth fatality occurred at its Danville, Va., plant on Friday morning.
“We regret to report that early Friday morning, a death occurred in the Goodyear-Danville manufacturing facility.” Goodyear said in a statement. “Goodyear’s on-site emergency response team, as well as local emergency personnel responded immediately, and all parties have been working together to investigate the root cause of the incident. Goodyear reported the incident to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and will fully cooperate with the organization.”
“Our hearts go out to the family, friends and co-workers of William ‘Billy’ Scheier, an electrician who had worked for Goodyear for just under six years.”
Three other deaths have occurred at the plant since August 2015. Ron Graham, health director of the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Program told local media the investigations for the two other deaths this year have not yet concluded.
According to OSHA, Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Program issued Goodyear three violations in February for the first accident that totaled $16,975 in fines. Local media reported that Goodyear is contesting the penalties for the 2015 accident.
