Federal regulators are investigating the death of a worker who was struck by a forklift at the CF Industries complex in Donaldsonville, local and federal authorities announced Thursday.
The unidentified man died at an area hospital after Wednesday’s incident, company officials said. CF Industries officials did not provide further details, but said it was an “isolated incident” that “does not involve any operational issues or off-site impacts.”
Ascension Parish Sheriff Bobby Webre said a forklift struck the man.
Officials with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration began an investigation at the Baton Rouge office, a spokeswoman said.
According to OSHA statistics compiled by the National Safety Council, forklift accidents caused an average of 71 fatalities each year from 2011 to 2022. On average, fatal collisions between pedestrians and forklifts occur every year.
OSHA spokesman Juan Rodriguez said it was too early to provide further details about the CF Industries incident.
State Department of Environmental Quality officials said the incident was outside the agency’s purview because no release was involved.
Company officials said in a statement that they are supporting the employee’s family and providing assistance to other employees at the plant.
CF Industries is a global manufacturer of hydrogen and nitrogen products with complexes in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, according to the company’s website. The Donaldson Building facility is the largest fertilizer complex in North America.
