Debris injures Autoliv worker

BRIGHAM CITY — A woman was injured early Wednesday morning when she was hit in the face by flying debris at the Autoliv plant in Brigham City.

The incident happened at 4 a.m. Company officials said the woman was one of four people working on a line that produces gas generators for air bag inflators. Autoliv spokeswoman Kathy Whitehead said the four were working on "the G line," which makes pressurized gas cylinders for air bags.

"That one team member was injured when a piece of equipment failed and scattered some debris," said Whitehead. "The debris struck her in the side of her face."

Whitehead would release few details about the woman's condition except to say the injuries were not life threatening. The woman was taken by ambulance to Brigham City Community Hospital and later transferred to Ogden Regional Hospital.

"Our hearts go out to her and her family at this time," the company said in an e-mailed statement.

The accident is under investigation by Autoliv, which said it had also notified state authorities and regulatory agencies.

The Utah Occupational Safety and Health Division had already dispatched a senior investigator to Brigham City to look into the accident, said UOSH Administrator Larry Patrick. As a precaution, Autoliv officials said they have shut down similar production lines for the time being.

Patrick said UOSH has documented safety violations against Autoliv in the past, but he said the company did not stand out among other employers. A hearing on one of those safety violations is set for next month.

The Swedish-based air bag manufacturer operates six facilities in northern Utah, employing about 4,500 workers.

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