Goodyear probes 3rd death at Va. tire plant

DANVILLE, Va. (April 18, 2016) — Goodyear is investigating the death of a worker at its tire plant in Danville — the third fatality at the facility in just eight months

Confirming the incident, a Goodyear spokeswoman said: “Last Tuesday [April 12], Goodyear Americas temporarily closed its manufacturing plant in Danville, to investigate a death that occurred earlier that morning.”

“Greg Cooper, an 18-year associate and maintenance mechanic at Goodyear-Danville, passed away while at work,” she added in a written statement to European rubber Journal.

According to media reports, the local medical examiner attributed the death of Mr. Cooper to “drowning and thermal injuries.”

The death came two weeks after Kevin Edmonds, 54, died at the plant on March 31 as a result of what has been described as an industrial accident.

Also, Jeanie Strader, 56, died on Aug. 31, 2015, after being caught in machine rollers, according to a document by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the U.S. federal agency that oversees workplace safety.

In its statement on the latest fatality at Danville, Goodyear said: “There is no higher priority for Goodyear than the safety and well-being of its associates. The company is taking this matter very seriously, working with local officials, as well as OSHA, to determine the cause of Greg's death.

“Goodyear's immediate priority, in addition to the investigation, is to provide support and assistance to Greg's family, as well as the entire team of Danville associates.”

This report appeared on the website of European Rubber Journal, a United Kingdom-based sister publication of Tire Business.