G. Alan Shelly dies in warehouse accident

CHAMBERSBURG -- Glenn Alan Shelly is the seventh person to die on the job in Franklin County this year, the deadliest in recent memory for local workplace fatalities.

Shelly of Mercersburg died on Nov. 28 while working at a distribution warehouse in Guilford Township. He was 64.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation of Franklin Storage, 900 Kriner Road. The investigation can take 6 months.

Emergency personnel responding to the 2:50 a.m. call on Nov. 28 at Franklin Storage found a person underneath an 1,800-pound stack of plywood, according to a report from Franklin Fire Company. The person died before rescuers arrived. They used air bags to free the victim.

Shelly died of blunt force trauma to the neck and chest, according to Franklin County Coroner Jeffrey Conner.

OSHA at this time has no details about the incident, according to OSHA spokeswoman Lenore Uddyback-Fortson.

OSHA most recently inspected Franklin Storage in June 2013 and issued citations for forklift violations. An initial $3,500 fine for the serious violation of transporting unauthorized riders on a forklift was reduced to $2,625. The company was also cited for failing to certify forklift operators.

Shelly, a 1972 graduate of James Buchanan High School, had three sons and a grandson. He had owned and operated Ag Products Co. Inc. with his father, the late Glenn O. Shelly of Mercersburg, before working at the True Value and Home Depot Direct warehouses, both in Hagerstown, Md. Funeral services are Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Mercersburg.

More:OSHA requires Manitowoc to pay maximum fine, correct crane testing after employee deaths

More:Manitowoc crane accident: Third person dies

More:Mercersburg company fined after fatal workplace accident

More:Letterkenny explosion updates: Two dead after incident at army depot

More:Letterkenny explosion: One worker dead after Thursday incident, army depot says

Six other men have died this year while working at Franklin County businesses:

• Three men died died when a 300-ton crane collapsed on Feb. 2 at Manitowoc Crane's Grove US plant at Shady Grove. OSHA fined Manitowoc $14,976 for failing to protect employees.
• A man died on Feb. 28 after a heavy piece of machinery fell on him at Mellott Manufacturing, 13156 Long Lane, Mercersburg. OSHA investigated and fined the  company $21,720 for violations unrelated to the accident.
• Two men died after an explosion and fire on July 19 in a paint shop at Letterkenny Army Depot.  OSHA is investigating.

Jim Hook  717-262-4759