DODGE CENTER, Minn. — A 63-year-old employee of a southeastern Minnesota manufacturer was fatally crushed by a 5,000-pound cement mixer drum on Monday morning, according to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department.

Dodge Center first responders and coworkers at Con-Tech tried to save the life of Teofilo Gonzalez, of Brownsdale, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Coworkers at Con-Tech, which manufactures concrete mixers, told the sheriff’s department that Gonzalez was cutting a crossbeam support on a dolly that was supporting a mixer drum. When the dolly collapsed, the 5,000-pound drum fell on Gonzalez.

Coworkers used two forklifts to remove the drum.

The Minnesota Office of Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation into Gonzalez’s death.

“We will inspect work areas for safety or health hazards, try to determine what caused or contributed to the accidents and review whether existing OSHA standards were violated. The goal is to help avoid a recurrence of similar accidents,” said OSHA spokesman James Honerman.

OSHA records show that the last safety complaint report filed about Con-Tech was in August 2020. The initial penalty for that incident was $7,000.

The Olmsted County Medical Examiner’s Office is assisting with the investigation.

Related Articles

Sentencing postponed for Minnesota man who regrets joining Islamic State group

Gov. Tim Walz names Elizabeth Bentley to MN Court of Appeals

Aer Lingus resumes direct flights between MSP and Dublin, marking return of last COVID-disrupted service

Supporters, opponents of state trooper charged with murder face off at Minneapolis courthouse

New Minnesota State Patrol chief is second female leader in its history