The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating what it believes to be a workplace accident at a Neosho recycling plant that left one dead.
20-year-old Cody Brisco was pronounced dead at the scene following Monday morning’s incident at USA Metal Recycling. A second man, 23-year-old Tyler Spencer, was in stable condition as of Monday afternoon.
It happened at 3:28 a.m., according to the city.
The two employees “were handling empty aluminum shell casings when they discovered what turned out to be an explosive device, though they were not aware of its nature. They were examining the device when it detonated,” a statement read.
Also investigating the scene Monday were representatives from the Missouri Fire Marshal’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the U.S. Department of Defense.
In a statement, Barb Theriot, OSHA Area Director in Kansas City said, “Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the fatality victim. We also want to express our concern for the survivor. At this point, we don’t know what caused the explosion, but we will be conducting a thorough investigation into the cause, and preventive ways to avoid this from happening again.”
The agency said the Neosho facility employees approximately 8-10 people. It said two people work on a shift, sorting metals by alloy. USA Metal Recycling has four other facilities in Arkansas with a total employment around 90.