OSHA investigates how one-ton ink barrel fell on man

CARLISLE — Investigators are continuing the probe into an accident Wednesday, Sept. 8, in which a 2,000-pound barrel of ink fell on a Middletown man.

Justin Doak, 33, remains in Miami Valley Hospital, according to Nancy Thickel, hospital spokeswoman. Doak was taken to Miami Valley after the one-ton barrel fell on him Sept. 8, at Braden Sutphin Ink Co., where he is employed. Ralph Tangeman, plant manager of Braden Sutphin, said he has no comment now or in the future.

“The investigation is still going on and hopefully we’ll have something completed within the next couple of weeks,” said Dick Gilgrist, area director of The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Cincinnati office.

The agency will look at circumstances surrounding the accident to see if there are any regulation violations that would cause the barrel to fall, said Barb Marcum, assistant director of OSHA’s Cincinnati office.

According to a Carlisle police report, Doak said he was attempting to pour ink from the 2,000-pound barrel into five-gallon buckets when the barrel slid off the fork lift and landed on him. Doak said his hip was crushed and his arms were going numb, according to the report.

Emergency medical units and police responded to the business at 400 Industry Drive around noon and took Doak to the hospital, according to Joint Emergency Medical Service Chief Andrew Riddiough.

The barrel had been removed before emergency crews arrived, Riddiough said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2551 or clevingston@coxohio.com.

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