The Occupational Safety and Health Administration Investigates Death of Worker at Rivian Warehouse

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched an investigation into the tragic death of a worker at a Rivian warehouse in Illinois. The federal agency informed JS on Friday that the probe could last up to six months.

Local authorities identified the victim as 61-year-old Kevin Lancaster. Reports indicate that he suffered fatal injuries due to being pinned between a tractor trailer and a loading dock at the warehouse, located near Rivian’s factory.

Lancaster was trapped in this position for approximately 20 minutes before firefighters were able to reach him. Emergency responders arrived at the scene at 1:40 p.m., and Lancaster was pronounced dead at a nearby medical facility at 2:33 p.m. The Normal Police Department and the McLean County Coroner are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Lancaster’s death.

Rivian released a statement expressing their condolences and stating that safety at their facilities is a top priority. The company is cooperating with the authorities’ investigation into the incident.

The safety record of Rivian’s factory in Normal came under scrutiny in 2024 following a report by Bloomberg News highlighting 16 “serious” violations issued to the company in the previous year. However, Rivian has since made improvements and received only one violation at the Illinois plant.

Rivian produces its R1 pickup truck, R1 SUV, and EDV commercial electric van at the 4.3-million-square-foot factory in Normal. The company is expanding the facility by an additional 1.1 million square feet to accommodate their upcoming EV, the R2, with a total capacity to assemble 215,000 vehicles.

This article has been updated with a comment from Rivian.