Food processing worker cooked to death

Jose Melena, 62, was performing maintenance in the 35ft pressure cooker when some 12,000lbs of the canned food was dumped on top of him

A FOOD processing worker was cooked alive in five tonnes of tuna after colleagues switched on the an industrial oven unaware he was inside.

Jose Melena, 62, was performing maintenance in the 35ft pressure cooker when some 12,000lbs of the canned food was dumped on top of him.

Staff at California’s Bumble Bee Foods plant mistakenly believed he was in the bathroom when they switched on the cooker and heated it to 130C for two hours, cooking him to his death.

His charred remains were only found when another worker opened the oven, an investigation into the 2012 incident by California Division of Occupational Safety & Health revealed.
Two of the company’s employees have now been charged with willfully ignoring safety rules.

Former safety manager Saul Florez and director of plant operations Angel Rodriguez were each charged with three counts of committing an occupational health and safety violation that caused a death, Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said.

District attorney Jackie Lacey said in a statement: “We take worker safety very seriously.

“Although the Bumble Bee investigation began in 2012, this case represents our commitment to protecting workers from illegal and, potentially, deadly – on-the-job practices.”

If convicted Rodriguez and Florez could each face up to three years in prison and a £162,000 fine. The company could be fined up to a £1million.

The pair are due in court on May 27.

A spokesperson for Bumble Bee Foods said the company disputes the charges and is weighing up its options.
Bumble Bee Foods said in a statement: “We remain devastated by the loss of our colleague Jose Melena in the tragic accident that occurred at our Santa Fe Springs plant in October 2012.

“Bumble Bee cooperated fully with Cal-OSHA in its post-accident investigation, which found no willful violations related to the accident.

“We disagree with and are disappointed by the charges filed by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office.

“We are currently exploring all options with respect to those charges and will proceed in the manner that best serves the needs of the Melena family, our employees and the Company.

“Safety has always been and will always be a top priority at our facilities.

“Since the 2012 accident, we have made our safety program even more robust, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring the safest possible workplace for our employees.” – Mirror.co.uk