Plaque Honors Man Who Died At Middletown Sewage Treatment Plant

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — This plaque was just installed outside the main entrance to the Middletown sewage treatment plant, in memory of John Molnar.

Wednesday, May 31 marked the one-year anniversary of Molnar's death. Molnar was killed May 31, 2022 in a workplace accident at the Township of Middletown Sewerage Authority (TOMSA), after he entered a 20-foot manhole and became overcome by toxic gases at the bottom of the hole.

Molnar, 47, lived in Hazlet and left behind three young children. The sewage treatment plant is in Belford, and not only processes all of Middletown's waste, but also safeguards against flooding in Middletown.

The plaque was paid for and donated by the unionized workers at the plant, all Molnar's co-workers. The workers say that before Molnar died last spring, they repeatedly told TOMSA management there were unsafe working conditions at the plant.

After Molnar's death, the state of New Jersey investigated TOMSA and issued $168,000 in fines, saying it found multiple "willful, serious" and "repeated" safety violations.

The workers said they had been telling management about unsafe working conditions for years, and were always ignored.

Shortly after 2 p.m. on May 31, 2022 Molnar descended into a 20-foot-deep manhole. As soon as he got to the bottom of the hole, he became disoriented by a lack of oxygen, the state said in their official report. He became unconscious, ultimately drowning in the water at the bottom of the hole, despite desperate attempts from multiple employees above ground to pull him back up to safety.

The state of NJ said TOMSA failed to provide Molnar with the following before he entered the manhole:

• Protective breathing equipment, such as an oxygen mask
• Adequate lighting
• Air quality testing devices that he was trained how to operate
• An emergency radio so he could call for help

His fellow workers said they were routinely instructed to enter manholes as Molnar did, and were never given any safety gear or breathing equipment.

TOMSA attorney John Napolitano told the Asbury Park Press on May 3 that the sewer authority is still reviewing the state's report.

"The Authority will take all necessary action to address any safety issues," he said.

Middletown Sewage Treatment Plant Fined $168K After Employee's Death (May 3)

'Serious' Safety Violations Found At Middletown Sewerage Authority (Sept. 2022)

Middletown Sewerage Authority Employee Dies After Workplace Fall (June 2, 2022)