Crime & Safety
Employee, 73, Crushed To Death At NJ Recycling Center: Officials
The man was crushed by a baling machine while on the job Tuesday, officials said. Local police and OSHA are investigating his death.
CLIFTON, NJ — Police and federal officials are investigating the death of a 76-year-old man who was crushed while working at a recycling facility in Clifton.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Labor confirmed that a worker was killed at Ricova Recycling, and said that OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is investigating.
Officers responded to the South Broad Street facility at about 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, after getting a 911 call about an employee who had been seriously injured by equipment.
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Clifton Fire, Rescue, and EMS crews also arrived to assist. The worker, identified as 73-year-old Jose D. Centeno of Elizabeth, died at the scene.
His death appears to have been accidental, and Clifton Police will assist OSHA with the investigation.
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Centeno appears to have been crushed by a hydraulic baling press used to process large amounts of material, the Department of Labor spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for Ricova USA told Patch that the company is unable to comment at this time.
According to the company website, Ricova can process up to 6,000 tons of recycling material per month. They also offer free on-site document shredding and work with businesses to organize recycling programs.
OSHA has six months to conduct the investigation and release its findings.
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