The Alcoa Davenport Works employee killed in an industrial accident Monday night was the father of five who had worked at the Riverdale facility only a few months.
Robert Leech, 45, of Wheatland, Iowa, had been employed as a general mechanic at Davenport Works since March, according to information his family released Wednesday through the company.
Visitation for Leech is 4-8 p.m. today at Chapman Funeral Home in Wheatland, where his funeral is 11 a.m. Friday.
A memorial fund in his name has been established at First Trust and Savings Bank in Wheatland.
The father of four sons and one daughter worked for nine years at Archer Daniels Midland in Clinton and at Monsanto in Muscatine before joining Alcoa, according to his obituary. He also coached Little League baseball.
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Occupational Health and Safety Administration representatives entered the facility Tuesday to begin an investigation, Steve Slater, Iowa Workforce Development OSHA administrator, said Wednesday.
OSHA’s policy is to investigate fatalities when they are reported. Alcoa reported the incident Monday night.
“We have made contact with Alcoa, and we have made entry into the facility,” Slater said. “We’re working with the company to conduct an investigation, which is ongoing.”
The investigation includes talking with management and labor representatives, reviewing the company’s written safety policy and making contact with anyone else who can supply information, Slater said.
The investigation is expected to last several weeks to a couple of months, Slater said.
The last fatal workplace accident at the Riverdale plant involved Nathaniel Payne, who died in 2000.