OGDEN, Utah — A man was crushed to death at a pet food manufacturing plant in Ogden early Tuesday morning.
A representative for American Nutrition said 33-year-old Raul Ortiz was an employee at the plant, and he was crushed to death after getting into a piece of equipment called a palletizer elevator around 3 a.m.
It is believed Ortiz got into the palletizer elevator while the power was running, and the machine rose up and crushed him against the top of the elevator.
American Nutrition is closed until further notice while officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration conduct an investigation.
Bill Behnken, President and CEO of American Nutrition, released the following statement Tuesday morning:
At approximately 3 a.m. Tuesday morning, one of our packaging line associates, Raul Ortiz, 33, was fatally injured while attempting to restart an automatic bag palletizer at our Ogden, Utah manufacturing plant. We are investigating the accident, but are at the early stages of that process.
The entire American Nutrition family is deeply saddened at the loss of our dear associate and we extend our most heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. American Nutrition is offering support to the family in the immediate aftermath of this tragic event.
