CAMILLA, GA (WDNews) – A boiler explosion early this morning at Tyson’s poultry processing plant in Camilla, Ga., has left several workers injured, with one person reportedly in critical condition. Camilla is estimated 35 miles Northeast of Bainbridge, Ga. The plant, represented by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), serves as a key facility in the region’s poultry industry.
Stuart Appelbaum, President of the RWDSU, and Edgar Fields, President of the Southeast Council of the RWDSU, issued a joint statement addressing the incident:
“Sadly, our members have reported to us that a person was severely injured and may not survive; and several union members were severely burned in a boiler explosion this morning at the Tyson poultry processing facility in Camilla, Georgia.”
The RWDSU is coordinating with Tyson and local emergency responders to support those affected. “We are working with the company, and local emergency authorities to ensure that all the workers impacted are taken care of. The health and safety of workers must be a top priority at poultry plants, and we are working to assist anyone injured last night. RWDSU representatives are on the ground and available to assist,” the statement continued.
Appelbaum and Fields emphasized the need for safety improvements across the industry:
“Our members and the community of Camilla depend on this facility operating, it is too early to tell what happened last night but there must be a thorough investigation into this incident, and workers must be able to work safely in the facility. We stand with the workers, our members for over 50 years, at this facility and countless others across the industry who need increased safety at work. No worker should ever have to worry that when they go to work, they may not be able to return home safe and sound.”
The RWDSU represents about 1,600 workers at the Camilla Tyson facility and over 15,000 poultry workers across the southern United States. Local authorities and Tyson Foods are continuing to investigate the cause of the explosion.
