TOPEKA, Kan.—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has concluded its investigation of an incident that led to the death of a Goodyear employee at the company's tire plant in Topeka last fall and issued a $15,625 fine.
Timothy Cole, 52, died around 8 a.m. Sept. 24 when he became entangled in the machinery he was working with. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Timothy E. "Tim" Cole
Goodyear did not immediately respond when given the opportunity to comment.
In a statement issued shortly after the incident last year, the tire maker emphasized that safety remains at the heart of its operations.
"At Goodyear, the safety of our associates is always our first priority," the company said last year. "We are conducting an internal investigation and will fully cooperate with outside authorities. We are unable to share further information for privacy reasons."
Cole's widow, Michelle Cole, contends the incident was not her husband's fault and told The Topeka Capital-Journal that she intends to pursue legal action.
The Topeka plant, opened in 1944, manufactures light truck, bus and OTR tires. It has an annual capacity of around 7,000 tires per day and employs around 1,600.
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