OSHA investigating after worker fatally struck by forklift in Alsip

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating after a worker was fatally struck by a forklift Thursday at a south suburban manufacturing plant.

John E. Miller, 59, was struck by the forklift, which was backing up, as he was walking at BBC Fasteners Inc. at 4210 W. Shirley Ln. in Alsip, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office and Alsip Deputy Police Chief Jay Miller.

John Miller, of the 100 block of Laurel Avenue in Wilmington, was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m., according to the medical examiner’s office.

An autopsy Friday found he died of injuries form the crash, with heart disease listed as a contributing factor, according to the medical examiner’s office. His death was ruled an accident.

The forklift driver was not cited or charged, Chief Miller said.

BBC Fasteners manufactures quality hot-former products, cold heading and CNC turning, according to its website.

OSHA has opened an investigation into the fatality, spokesman Scott Allen said Monday. He did not provide additional details.