LA HABRA, CALIF. - A worker at Imaginative Plastics Co. was killed Aug. 28 when his head was caught in a blow molding machine. Officials at the La Habra firm declined to comment about the company or the accident on the advice of their lawyer.
According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, 19-year-old Daniel Orozco Villegas was working next to his uncle, who was running a blow molding machine. When his uncle took a break, Villegas filled in.
``His main responsibilities were away from that particular machine,'' said Sgt. Jeff Love.
He was found stuck in the machine when the uncle returned. No one witnessed the accident. Villegas was pronounced dead at Friendly Hills Regional Medical Center.
According to Jim Brown, district manager for the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the company made large plastic jugs for the soda and bleach industries. Under OSHA regulations, the firm is allowed to continue production while under investigation.
``It's a fairly new company with under 10 employees,'' Brown said.
``Our job is to determine how it happened. The company will undergo a complete compliance inspection,'' he said.