The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) has initiated an investigation into Impact Plastics in Erwin following reports of employees being swept away by flash floods while on duty. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is currently leading the investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding these tragic fatalities, which has taken precedence over TOSHA’s jurisdiction. However, TOSHA investigators are coordinating with TBI and local officials to establish when they can conduct an on-site inspection.
Under Tennessee law, employers are required to notify TOSHA within eight hours of a workplace fatality. As of now, Impact Plastics has not submitted a fatality report to TOSHA. The investigation process typically involves a thorough survey of the incident location, a review of company records and procedures, and interviews with management and employees. The entire process can take up to six months to complete.
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To maintain the integrity of the investigation, TOSHA refrains from releasing any preliminary information. Once concluded, the findings will be made available for review by the public in Tennessee.
Source: Read Original Release
Federal Aid Approved for Flooded Tennessee Counties
Federal aid has been approved for eight counties in Northeast Tennessee following severe flooding, with FEMA providing various forms of assistance including Public and Individual Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation Grants. Residents affected by the disaster can apply for aid through FEMA’s Individual Assistance program online or by phone, with resources available to assist recovery efforts.