TOSHA: Impact Plastics officials not responsible for flood deaths during Helene

A Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) report found that Impact Plastics’ actions during Hurricane Helene flooding in September did not contribute to the deaths of six employees.

The report also debunked allegations of workers being told to stay on plant property despite rising waters or face termination.

TOSHA investigators ruled Impact workers had ample time to evacuate and since production stopped and employees left the property, the case is not work-related.

The state report added eyewitnesses and employees could not determine why some workers went back to the Impact plant. A total of 11 employees were swept out by flooding.

The last victim’s body was recovered in October. A wrongful death lawsuit was filed by the family of an Impact supervisor against Impact in Unicoi Court citing negligence. The family’s attorney contends Impact did not have an emergency action plan for workers to go by when a disaster strikes.

(IMAGE: Unicoi County Emergency Management Agency / Official Facebook)