USA: Investigation launched into co. Impact Plastics after six workers, incl., four Mexican workers, swept away by Hurricane Helene; incl. co comment
Summary
Date Reported: 6 Oct 2024
Location: United States of America
Companies
Impact Plastics - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Mexico , Manufacturing: General , Men , Unknown migration status ) , Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Mexico , Manufacturing: General , Women , Unknown migration status )Issues
Occupational Health & Safety , Deaths , Purchasing practices: Order volume , Freedom of MovementResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Journalist
External link to response: (Find out more)
Action taken: The Impact Plastics president said no worker was forced to keep working and they were evacuated at least 45 minutes before the full force of the flood reached the industrial park.
Source type: News outlet
“Mexican immigrant families plagued by grief, questions after plant workers swept away by Helene”
…six workers at a plastics factory disappeared under surging floodwaters caused by Hurricane Helene…
The scar it left behind has been especially devastating within the small Latino community that makes up a disproportionate number of workers at the factory: Four of the six workers swept away were Mexican American.
Two state investigations have been launched into Impact Plastics and whether the company should have done more to protect workers as the danger grew…
Impact Plastics President Gerald O’Connor has said no employees were forced to keep working and they were evacuated at least 45 minutes before the massive force of the flood hit the industrial park...
…surviving workers say the evacuation began too late. Some clung to pipes on truck flatbeds for up to six hours while making frantic 911 calls and saying goodbyes to loved ones. Some saw coworkers carried off by the current…
The plastics plant was open, even as local schools shuttered…employees continued to work while receiving phone alerts about possible flooding. Many stayed even after management asked them to move cars because 6 inches of water had accumulated in the parking lot…