OSHA probes death of Jelly Belly worker

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1085431,5_1_WA01_JELLYBELLY_S1.article

Candy company can't explain how Waukegan man died in freak forklift accident

August 1, 2008

BY KENDRICK MARSHALL [e-mail]

NORTH CHICAGO -- The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the death of a Jelly Belly factory employee who died late Wednesday night as a result of being involved in a machine accident.

Ismael Reyes-Calderon, 51, of the 700 block of South Lincoln Aveune in Waukegan, got caught between a pallet mover and a candy pallet at Jelly Belly's North Chicago factory and was crushed, said Lake County Coroner Dr. Richard Keller.

"We can't figure out how it happened," said Jelly Belly vice-chairman Bob Kelley. "A lot of people are walking around very sad right now. Everyone is in shock."

According to Kelley, Reyes-Calderon was asked by his supervisor to grab a bag of starch from the basement and became concerned when he did not return right away.

Reyes-Calderon was in his 15th year at the factory working as a candy panner, and was certified to operate the forklift that eventually led to his death, officials said.

Reyes-Calderon was taken to Vista East Medical Center in Waukegan where he was pronounced dead at 10:20 p.m.

An autopsy is scheduled today.

"This was the first time in the 110-year history of our company than an accident like this has happened," Kelley said. "This is just unfortunate."