Updated Oct. 3: The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Oct. 3 it has opened its own investigation into the deaths of workers at Impact Plastics in Erwin, Tenn., from flash floods caused by Hurricane Helene Sept. 27.
Six workers were swept away in a desperate attempt to flee a flash flood caused by heavy rains that caused the Nolichucky River in Unicoi County to rise.
On Oct. 1, First Judicial District Attorney General Steve Finney asked the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to investigate.
“Specifically, I asked that they review the occurrences of Friday, September 27, 2024, to identify any potential criminal violations,” Finney said in an Oct. 2 statement.
TOSHA investigators will work with TBI, which is the lead agency, to survey the facility site in Erwin, to review company records and procedures, and interview management and employees.
No timelines is set yet for beginning the on-site inspection. Once started, a fatality investigation can take up to six months to complete.
The final report detailing the TOSHA findings will be made public.
Six workers were swept away in a desperate attempt to flee a flash flood caused by heavy rains from Hurricane Helene.
Two women are confirmed dead, an immigrants rights group told local media, and at least three are missing. The company confirmed the death of one person but did not identity him or her.
Company officials denied telling employees they would be fired if they left the facility. The company's Sept. 30 statement also says that "non-English speaking, bilingual employees were among the group of managers who delivered the message."
But at least two employees and relatives who said they got phone calls from loved ones before they went missing refute that. They told local media that workers weren't told they could leave until it was too late.
On Oct. 1, First Judicial District Attorney General Steve Finney asked the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to investigate.
"Specifically, I asked that they review the occurrences of Friday, September 27, 2024, to identify any potential criminal violations," Finney said in an Oct. 2 statement.
Impact Plastics officials will cooperate fully, according to company spokesman Tony Treadway.
“Impact Plastics has not been contacted by the TBI, but will fully cooperate with their investigation,” he said in an Oct. 2 email to Plastics News. “The company is also conducting an internal review of activities and timelines of September 27th and will share the information once complete.”