SALMON ARM – An inspection of the manufacturing plant where a young man died reveals the work place could have been safer.

Shane Mackenzie Gorner, 19, was killed August 28 after getting caught in some machinery at the Dinoflex Manufacturing plant, which makes rubber flooring from recycled tires. Police and coroners investigations are ongoing, but an inspection report released by WorkSafe B.C. tells us a little more about working conditions at the plant.

Inspector Jim Saunders, who visited Dinoflex three days after Gorner's death, said seven power presses used for making rubber blocks are not in a safe condition to operate and are in contravention of safety regulations. Until further notice, DInoflex is prohibited from using the seven presses.

Saunders also said the areas where the presses are located are "not safeguarded to prevent injury to the operator or any other worker."

Gorner, a Salmon Arm Secondary graduate, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Dinoflex CEO Mark Bunz offered his condolences in an email to the media.

"We have brought in grief counsellors to meet with any members of staff who need emotional support. We don’t know at this stage exactly how the accident happened, but we are working with investigators from Worksafe B.C. and the coroner to determine that," Bunz said.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca, call (250)309-5230 or tweet @charhelston.