Worker dies at Valero Energy refinery in La.

NORCO — A contract worker at a Valero Energy Corp. refinery in southeastern Louisiana has died after an accident at the plant.

State police say 30-year-old Victor Rodriguez of Houston died late Sunday at a hospital after the accident. Lt. Doug Cain says two contract employees were working on a construction project when they were apparently exposed to a chemical.

Valero spokesman Bill Day says the two were working in a cracking unit, which was shut down at the time.

Cain says that Rodriguez sustained a head injury and that authorities aren't sure if he died from exposure or from falling from a ladder.

The other worker, whom police did not identify, was released from a LaPlace hospital on Monday.