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PAYSON -- Police are continuing their investigation into what killed a Saratoga Springs man Tuesday. Questions remain whether a substance the 29-year-old came in contact with at work played a role in his sudden sickness and death.
Any results are likely weeks or even months away, but a former employee of the Sabinsa facility in Payson raised serious concerns Thursday about safety and the practices of the company.
Mauricio Lacayo died Tuesday after telling his wife he became sick while working at Sabinsa in Payson.
Speaking to KSL News by phone from out of state, Tyler Peterson, a temporary employee who stopped working at Sabinsa last May, said the company relied on temporary workers to mix the products.
Peterson told us his first three days on the job he never had basic safety gear to wear. He said the company told him there was nothing for him to worry about.
"It was kind of the thing there because they went through temp agencies," Peterson said. "If you complained or said anything, someone was there the next day to take your place."
Peterson also said that whenever inspectors came through the facility, employees were hidden on opposite sides of the building so they wouldn't be asked any questions.
"Those are serious allegations, but not supported by the facts. The Sabinsa facility is GMP compliant, and is regularly audited. We do have safety practices in place, and every employee is made aware of them. If they are not followed that is a violation of company policy," said Jeff Lind, CEO of Sabinsa Corp.
KSL News spoke again Thursday with the state OSHA office, which oversees workplace safety. Officials there confirmed that inspectors were dispatched to Sabinsa Wednesday. OSHA also told us the company has no history of safety violations.
The investigation will include interviews with employees and information from the company to ensure compliance with OSHA standards.
In a written statement released Wednesday, Sabinsa said: "The substances he worked with are all natural ingredients, none of which are toxic or dangerous."
Both police and workplace safety inspectors say they will have to wait for autopsy results before issuing a final report into the cause of death.
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Story compiled with contributions from Sam Penrod and Paul Nelson.
