Police are investigating the collapse of an internal ceiling at Primo Small Goods Abattoir in Muffett Street, Scone which resulted in the death of a worker yesterday morning.

About 7.15am, police from Hunter Valley Local Area Command, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Ambulance and State Emergency Services responded to the report of a roof at the rear of the small goods factory collapsing.

A 25-year-old Taiwanese national was instantly killed when debris from the ceiling landed on top of him.

Two production employees were working inside the blast freezer room clearing out internal bores when the ceiling collapsed.

The second worker escaped uninjured.

About 290 employees were evacuated from the building and four other similar freezer units had been isolated and were not being used.

Hunter Valley Police Inspector Guy Guiana told a media conference yesterday that police were still investigating the cause of collapse.

He said there was a possibility there was an ice build up in the ceiling that may have contributed to the collapse.

“I understand the weight of the ice may have brought the ceiling down,” Insp Guiana said.

Inspector Guiana said police would investigate whether the incident was caused by a maintenance issue.

The dead body was trapped for several hours before the scene was established safe for Police Search and Rescue to enter.

Police have notified the 25-year-old’s brother, who is believed to also be an employee of the company.

Inspector Guiana said a risk assessment had been carried out which found there were no other areas in danger of collapsing.

He said initial fears of ammonia escaping from broken pipes were found to be false.

A report will also be prepared for the information of the NSW Coroner.

Primo Meats management declined to comment at the time of going to print.

Workcover investigators were also yet to release a report at that time.