Authorities investigating death of worker crushed by a loading ramp

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the death of a man at a Middlesex County auto parts store.

The incident occurred around 5:31 a.m. on Dec. 28 at Fenix Parts Rahway in Woodbridge, when a 38-year-old worker was crushed by a loading ramp, said Robert Brady, the Woodbridge Police Department’s chief law enforcement officer.

The man, who was not immediately identified, died as result of serious injuries.

Fenix Parts, the parent company of Fenix Parts Rahway, said Thursday it was “investigating the circumstances of this accident.”

OSHA confirmed it was investigating the incident. It has up to six months to complete its investigation, according to the U.S Department of Labor, Office of Public Affairs.

Fenix Parts Rahway does have a prior history with OSHA.

The auto parts store on Leesville Avenue in Rahway received three citations in March 2020 pertaining to lack of respiratory protection for workers, according to inspection records and the U.S Department of Labor.

The business was cited for failing to establish and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures; not providing a medical evaluation to determine the employee’s ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace; and failing to provide training prior to requiring employees to use a respirator in the workplace.

These violations were labeled as “serious.” A serious violation exists when the workplace hazard could cause an accident or illness that would most likely result in death or serious physical harm, unless the employer did not know or could not have known of the violation, according to OSHA’s website.

The initial penalty imposed was $7,711 but Fenix Parts Rahway contested the case, bringing the penalty down to $5,783, according to agency records. The penalty was paid and the case is closed.

Fenix Parts Rahway directed all inquiries to its parent company, Fenix Parts Inc.

“Fenix extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends who are mourning their loved one,” read a company statement provided Thursday.

“Safety is our highest priority, and we are investigating the circumstances of this accident. In order to respect the privacy of the family, the name of the deceased will not be released. Additionally, no further details will be forthcoming as the accident is under investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Fenix,” the statement concluded.

Fenix Parts is a recycler and reseller of automotive parts based in Hurst, Texas, according to its website. The company has 22 locations in the United States.

There were 5,486 fatal work injuries recorded nationwide in 2022, up 5.7% from the previous year, according data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

There were 116 fatal work injuries in 2022 for New Jersey, up from the previous year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In New Jersey, transportation, exposure to harmful substances or environments, and falls, slips or trips accounted for the majority of workplace deaths.

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Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.