Contractor dies at M&M Mars candy plant

A contract worker died Thursday afternoon at the M&M Mars candy plant on Peerless Road in Cleveland, Tenn.

The individual worked for Cleveland-based Custom Mechanical Contractors, said Mars candy spokesman Anthony Guerrieri in an email.

“We are deeply saddened that an individual working onsite at our Cleveland plant passed away late Thursday afternoon,” Guerrieri’s email said. “We are working with the individual’s employer, Custom Mechanical Contractors, as well as the proper authorities to investigate the cause of death and do not have further details to share at this time.”

The incident is under investigation by the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA), which was tight-lipped about the fatality, and didn’t release any information about who died — including the person’s gender and age.

A report from the Bradley County 911 Center showed that a 911 call was placed at 4:37 p.m. by a Mars employee. Emergency personnel were at the scene at 4:42 p.m., the report said.

A person on the floor had no pulse, the report said, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was started at 4:38 p.m. before emergency responders arrived.

A TOSHA inspector was sent to the plant soon after the fatality was reported

to start an investigation, TOSHA said in a statement. The inspector returned to the plant Friday to continue the investigation.

TOSHA said it does not release information about its investigations until a final report is submitted four to six weeks after the inquiry is completed.

Contact staff writer Tim Omarzu at tomarzu@timesfreepress.com or www.facebook.com/meetsforbusiness or twitter.com/meetforbusiness or 423-757-6651.