Subcontract worker killed in industrial accident at Franklin vehicle parts maker

UPDATE @ 4:30 p.m.:

Douglas Mescher has been identified as the subcontractor killed when he was crushed by a heavy piece of equipment at Walther Engineering and Manufacturing Company in Franklin, a Warren County Coroner’s Office investigator said.

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The body of the 28-year-old Lebanon resident has been removed to the coroner’s office. The investigator said Mescher was a subcontract worker at Walther, a maker of vehicle parts.

Officials were called to the business, in the 3500 block of Shotwell Drive, about noon.

A company official with Walther said there would be no comment at this time.

An investigator with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was on scene as well.

There have been workplace safety violations at Walther in the past. OSHA issued the company several serious violations in 2010, according to records obtained by this news organization.

The company was issued nine penalties related to how employees were handling materials and general requirements for all machines.

INITIAL REPORT

A man has died after a heavy piece of equipment fell on him at a Franklin business this afternoon, the Warren County Coroner’s Office said.

Crews were on the scene of the accident at Walther EMC in the 3500 block of Shotwell Drive around 4 p.m.

Walther EMC is a business that manufactures parts for vehicles.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also was on the scene investigating the circumstances of the accident.

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-- Dayton Daily News Staff Writer Kara Driscoll contributed to this report.

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