Durham Constabulary and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are working together to investigate an incident which occurred at John Wade Ltd recycling plant on 12 December.
Simon Hogg, 47, from Darlington, died on the scene after becoming trapped in a trommel machine, a large cylindrical drum used to separate waste, at the recycling plant in Newton Aycliffe.
Another 46-year-old man from Darlington, who has not been named, was taken to James Cook Hospital with serious leg injuries. His condition is described as stable.
A spokeswoman for the North East Ambulance Service has said: "we were called to reports of two casualties at the site at 12:04pm. The first ambulance was on the scene at 12:14pm."
Durham Constabulary added: "Durham Constabulary and the Health and Safety Executive are working together to determine the circumstances of Mr. Hogg’s death. The investigation is continuing with many officers from both agencies still at the scene."
