Fedex worker killed in accident @ memphis hub

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Happened on Thanksgiving day.

Did I miss the company's acknowledgement/communication of this fatal mishap to the pilots?

Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of this co-worker who supported all of us.

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(MEMPHIS, Tenn.) — A FedEx employee was killed early Thursday morning at the shipper’s hub at Tennessee’s Memphis International Airport while loading and unloading cargo from a Boeing 777, the company has confirmed to ABC News.

Police were called to the airport shortly after 12:30 a.m. about an accidental injury, and found the dead female employee under a motorized conveyer belt system, ABC affiliate WATN reported. The employee’s identity has not been released.

“Words cannot convey the sadness we feel over the loss of our team member in an accident at the Memphis hub,” FedEx said in a statement. “Our prayers are with our colleague’s family, friends, and co-workers. We are cooperating with authorities in their investigation.”

The NTSB is investigating, as are state labor officials. According to WATN, the state investigation will take eight to ten weeks to complete and likely include interviews with other FedEx employees and a review of company protocol and procedures.

This incident marks the third time in less than four years that a FedEx worker has been killed on the job.

Scott Brockman, president and CEO of the airport, said in a statement, according to WATN, “We at the Memphis International Airport are deeply saddened by the news of the fatal accident that occurred at the FedEx hub early this morning. Our hearts go out to this employee’s family, friends and co-workers.”
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MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - There are new questions about safety at the FedEx Memphis hub after a worker was killed during the busy holiday shipping season.

State regulators are investigating this latest death at the hub, along with Memphis police.

Local attorney Jeff Rosenblum who has dealt with cases like this in the past says it's time to look at safety protocol.

In just three and a half years, three FedEx workers have been killed while working at the Memphis International Airport Hub.

This time, police say a female worker was found dead under a motorized mobile conveyer belt system.

In 2015, 39-year-old Christopher Higginbottom was reportedly crushed by a dolly, and in 2014, 19-year-old Chandler Warren was reportedly crushed by a giant lift.

Rosenblum represented the Higginbottom and Warren families in wrongful death cases.

He says under Tennessee law, families can file workman compensation cases against a company in a wrongful death case, but it's uncommon for a family to sue for negligence or punitive damages.

"If there are inherent dangers to the pieces of equipment you have to design those out if you can, if you can't design those out you have to guard against potential injuries,” Rosenblum said.

Right now, the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration is heading up an investigation at the FedEx Hub.

TOSHA proposed to fine FedEx $4,000 in connection with the death of Higginbottom, but a TOSHA representative says FedEx Corporation filed an appeal.

Rosenblum says a closer look at the safety of equipment must be done by FedEx Corporation and the equipment vendors.

"We have to look beyond what the minimum requirements are and we have to be proactive as a community,” Rosenblum said.

Officials have not identified the worker killed in Thursday's accident.

We reached out to a FedEx Corporation representative and asked if any safety protocols were violated during this most recent incident. We have not heard back.

We will continue to follow the latest developments in this case.
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MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - FedEx has confirmed that an employee was killed at the airport Thanksgiving morning.

According to police, a female FedEx worker was found around 12:30 a.m. dead under a motorized mobile conveyer belt system.

She was pronounced dead when authorities arrived on the scene.

FedEx released a statement regarding the incident:

"Words cannot convey the sadness we feel over the loss of our team member in an accident at the Memphis hub. Our prayers are with our colleague's family, friends, and co-workers. We are cooperating with authorities in their investigation."
Airport police are handling this investigation.

A Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration representative was at the FedEx Hub on Thursday investigating the tragedy.

The investigation is expected to last eight to 10 weeks.
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I saw that on Friday through my Curt Lewis & Associates Safety email I get daily. I was hoping the company would put something out before I was going to copy it. Guess they're not going to do that.

Thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and fellow hub workers.
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