Death at Artesia plant investigated

Company officials and representatives of the US Mine Safety and Health Administration are investigating the death of a cement plant worker in Artesia. Randy G Vibrock Sr, 49, of Columbus, died earlier this week when he apparently got caught in a 42-inch conveyor belt at the Holcim plant. Holcim officials discovered Vibrock after he did not go to lunch or relieve another employee in the plant’s control room. Plant manager James Boyd said in a statement that Vibrock "will be greatly missed and our hearts go out to his family. ... This accident is a shock to everyone at the plant."

"At this time, we do not know how or why Randy came to be under the conveyor belt. Going under moving conveyors is not permitted under strict safety rules that are emphasised in regular employee training that Randy helped with," Boyd said.

Wyatt Andrews, safety specialist for the Southeastern district of MSHA, said Vibrocks death was the first in the mining industry for the new year. He said a report on the incident would likely be complete within about 60 days.