Worker crushed to death at N.J. recycling plant, authorities say

An employee at a recycling plant in Passaic County died Monday after he was apparently crushed beneath a hydraulic baling machine during work hours, state officials said.
The worker was killed when he was came into contact with a baling machine used to compress waste into small bales, according to Leni Fortson, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Labor.
The incident occurred about 3:30 p.m. at Ricova USA on South Broad Street in Clifton and is under investigation by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Forston said.
The worker died at the scene. Fortson did not release the worker’s name and directed additional questions to local authorities.
A spokesman for the Clifton Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.
A woman who answered the phone at Ricova Recylcing on Wednesday said there was no one available to comment on the worker’s death.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.