Rex Lumber, Troy, Alabama, said that it is devastated by the December death of a 20-year-old sawmill worker who was killed in a accident at the mill. In a statement, the company also said that information released by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in regards to the accident was incorrect and certain violations OSHA attributed to the company were incurred by an unrelated company with a similar name. 

An OSHA investigation determined that the sawmill worker, Evan Kilpatrick, was part of a six-member crew trying to clear a jammed roller at the mill. He was crushed when stored energy caused the infeed unit to close on him.

According to OSHA, since 2020 Rex Lumber failed to follow federal workplace safety standards at three of its sawmills. 

The company has released a statement regarding the incident in which it said that it was devastated by the loss. The company also said that OSHA's press release lists the violations of a "completely unrelated company doing different things in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Virginia. Similar, but not us, and their additional violations should not be pubicly attributed to us." 

Here is the complete statement from the company.

Rex Lumber, Troy, LLC's Response to Press Release dated July 5, 2023

Rex Lumbers, Troy plant was devastated to lose a coworker in a December 2022 machine accident. We continue to keep the family in our thoughts and prayers. We have cooperated with OSHA and continue our efforts to always make our plants even safer. It's been a tough time and our employees have worked hard. 

OSHA released a July 5, 2023, Press Release on its Initial Findings, which have not yet been fully investigated or tried. Rex is not a faceless global company. We're made up of local people, and OSHA's characterization of the facts and alleged violations does not match the events or our efforts. Federal-OSHA has a vital mission to ensure employers are aware of its regulations. It uses these Press Releases to get attention, but the underly cases almost always turn out differently after the entire process is completed.

The Troy plant was cutom built and equipped by leading industry manufacturers and contractors in 2018. We maintain professional safety staff, involve managers, employees, and obtain guidance on best safety practices. We maintain procedures for complicated processes and routinely update them. We have cooperated with OSHA and learned from every experience, and we've had fewer workplace accidents than most such mills. 

We respect OSHA's need to police the industry, but we vigorously disagree with the findings. 

Very importantly, OSHA Press Release lists the many violations of a completely unrelated company doing different things in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Virginia. Similar name, but not us, and their additional violations should not be publicly attributed to us.

If necessary, we'll defend the company in court, but rest assured that we will also continue to constantly improve our workplace, as well as to cooperate and partner with OSHA as opportunities permit. Both Rex and OSHA want safe workers.