MORRISTOWN, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — State workplace safety officials are investigating after an employee died while working at the Koch Foods processing plant in Morristown.
The incident occurred Thursday at the Koch Foods facility located at 6220 Progress Parkway. Details about how the employee died have not been released, and authorities say the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
The investigation is being led by the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA), which examines workplace fatalities and serious accidents across the state.
According to TOSHA spokesperson Chris Cannon, investigators follow a detailed process when responding to workplace deaths. That process typically includes examining the scene, reviewing company safety records and operating procedures, and interviewing both management and employees.
“During the investigative process, the TOSHA investigator typically surveys the incident site, reviews company records and procedures and conducts interviews with management and employees,” Cannon said.
Koch Foods is one of the nation’s largest poultry and meat processing companies, operating facilities across multiple states. The Morristown plant employs hundreds of workers and serves as a major employer in Hamblen County.
Officials have not identified the employee who died, and no information has been released regarding potential safety violations or contributing factors.
Cannon noted that workplace fatality investigations are often extensive and can take as long as six months to complete before findings are finalized and released.
At this time, neither TOSHA nor Koch Foods has released additional details about the incident.
The investigation remains ongoing.
