Workplace Safety

Thursday, November 19th at 8pm - KQED Public Radio’s Health Dialogues will broadcast a program looking at Workplace Safety. Segment topics include Cal-OSHA regulations, safety of green jobs, health concerns for migrant and farm workers, and more.

Don’t live in S.F. or Sacramento? Find your local airtime here:
http://www.californiareport.org/healthdialogues/about.jsp

You can embed the program on your website or stream it online starting this Friday at 12pm by visiting www.HealthDialogues.org.

16 Deaths Per Day

Brave New Foundation (BNF) released a video called 16 Deaths Per Day!




BNF has made it easy to view the PAWA, Protecting American Workers Act, and also sign a petition endorsing the act. It features our very own Mrs. Debi Fergen interviewed and at the start of the video. (Way to go girl)

We met one of the gals that helped produce the video at the National COSH Health and Safety Summit, Ms. Myra Donnelley. Myra has also been very helpful and gracious with her advice. So a big public thank you to Myra!

16 deaths per day cant tell you the whole story but it does help explain why we need the PAWA. I can't stress enough how monumental, how historic the PAWA is. So if you haven't taken a look at what the PAWA really is please take a few moments to do so.

Weekly Toll: Death in the American Workplace

1 Killed After Trucks Collide On I-78

November 13, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania - A tractor-trailer rear-ended another tractor-trailer Friday morning on Interstate 78 in Lebanon County, killing one of the drivers. The cab of one truck and the trailer of the other caught fire, state police said. The driver of the truck that caught fire was killed. A passenger in that truck was flown to the hospital. The driver and passenger in the other truck were not hurt.


Worker dies after fall from Lynnwood hotel

November 12, Lynnwood, Washington - The worker who fell from a fourth-story window of a hotel under construction in Lynnwood has died. Investigators said the 45-year-old man was offloading carpet on the fourth floor of the building from a forklift outside when he fell from an opening and landed on the sidewalk below. Officers and medics were dispatched to the scene, the new Holiday Inn Express at 2515 196th Street SW, at about 10 a.m. He was rushed to the Harborview Medical Center, where he later died.


Man killed in trench collapse

November 13, San Antonio, Texas – A construction worker is killed while working at the site of the new Texas A&M campus on the city’s south side. The 43-year-old man died when the trench he was working in collapsed Saturday morning. Ralph Medina with the San Antonio Fire Department tells News 4 WOAI that crews were trying to dig out a large oak tree from a field at the new campus when the rocks and soil gave way. Medina says, “He was underneath there doing the final bit of digging when a big portion of the cone over his head fell on top of him and crushed him. It was a very heavy rock and soil.”


W.Va. worker killed in accident at plant

November 13, Inwood, West Virginia - A worker at the Guardian Fiberglass plant near Inwood has died after being caught in an insulation roller while doing maintenance work. The Berkeley County Sheriff's Department says Bill Willison Sr. died Thursday morning at the plant. Willison was a lead mechanic at the plant. Police say the federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration has been notified of the death and will conduct any follow-up investigation.


Worker killed at Quinnipiac University

November 13, Hamden, Connecticut - Hamden authorities say a construction worker has died after he was struck by a forklift at Quinnipiac University. Emergency workers were called to the school's York Hill Campus at about 9:15 a.m. Friday for the incident, in which a 58-year-old carpentry foreman was killed. Police and his employer, Torrington-based O&G Industries Inc., identified him as John Borovicka of Vernon. He was pronounced dead at Yale-New Haven Hospital.


Gunman Enters Clinical Laboratory in Oregon Yesterday, Two Dead, Two Injured

November 11, Portland, Oregon - Yesterday, in Tualatin, a quiet suburb city near Portland, Oregon, a gunman entered a laboratory facility owned by Legacy MetroLab and shot his estranged wife. He then killed himself. Two other individuals in the laboratory were injured, including a man admitted to a local hospital with Gunman Enters Clinical Laboratory in Oregon Yesterday, Two Dead, Two Injuredmultiple gunshot wounds... Shortly before noon on Tuesday, November 10, Robert Beiser, 39, entered the Legacy MetroLab facility in Tualatin. He immediately fired an undisclosed number of shots. When police arrived on the scene, just two minutes after the first 911 emergency call, they found Theresa Beiser, 36, an employee of Legacy MetroLab, dead of gunshot wounds. Robert Beiser was dead of self-inflicted gunshot wounds.


Kosciusko officer dies on duty

November 9, Jackson, Mississippi - A Kosciusko police officer died early Sunday morning from heart trouble while on duty. Officer Joseph Fulton, 45, was pursuing a vehicle along County Road 2101 around 3 a.m. when his vehicle swerved off the road, Attala County Coroner Sam Bell said. An autopsy revealed Fulton suffered a heart arrhythmia as the result of hypertension caused by heart disease, Bell said.


Maryland worker crushed and killed by construction truck

November 10, Frederick County, Maryland — Maryland police officials reported to a Route 85 construction site where an LAI Construction employee was run over and killed by a construction motor vehicle on Thursday, November 5, 2009 in Frederick County, announced the Gettysburg Times. Police identified the fatally injured man as 57-year-old Carroll Michael Rehmert, resident of Brooklyn Park. Officials declared his injuries to have proved fatal at 2:52 p.m. at the scene of the accident on Route 85 near Lime Kiln Road.


DTE worker is electrocuted at utility substation

November 111, Detroit, Michigan - A DTE Energy Co. worker was electrocuted while working at a company substation on Detroit's northwest side. DTE spokesman John Austerberry says the employee came in contact with some electrical equipment about 9 a.m. Wednesday and was taken to Sinai Grace Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The victim's name hasn't been release. Austerberry says the company will conduct an investigation and has notified state workplace safety officials.


Man who died in Ohio River was riverboat worker

November 10, Liverpool, Ohio - A man who was found dead in the Ohio River yesterday has been identified as Michael Smith of East Liverpool, Ohio, Beaver County Coroner Teri Tatalovich-Rossi said. Mr. Smith, 43, had been employed on a riverboat docked out of Ohio Township. The coroner said Mr. Smith drowned in a suicide. His body was pulled out of the Ohio River yesterday afternoon near the Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge.


Workers’ identities released in performing arts center accident

November 11, Kansas City, Missouri - The worker killed Tuesday at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts construction site has been identified as Ryan Goodman, 35, of Lee’s Summit. A second worker, 30-year-old Shane Wagener of Grain Valley, remained in serious but stable condition this morning, Kansas City police said. The men were roughly 50 feet up in the air on a cherry picker-type lift when the vehicle tipped over about 1:45 p.m., throwing them onto 16th Street just east of Broadway.


Utility worker killed by car in Roosevelt

November 11, Salt Lake City, Utah - A telephone company repairman died Tuesday after he was struck by a car in eastern Utah. Roosevelt Police Chief Rich Harrison said Wednesday that 49-year-old Richard Adams, an employee of Strata Communications, was pronounced dead Tuesday afternoon after being rushed to Uintah Basin Medical Center. Adams, of Roosevelt, was working on a telephone junction box near 1800 South and State Street about 11:30 a.m. when a Ford Crown Victoria struck the box and Adams. The 36-year-old driver was treated for minor injuries at the hospital and released, Harrison said. The chief said it appeared the southbound car crossed the center line, went off the left side of State Street, hit a wooden fence post, jumped a sidewalk and went airborne before hitting Adams. The car came to rest in a residential yard, about a foot from the home's wall.


Cable worker killed in hammer attack

November 9, Victorville, California - Neighbors were in shock when they learned a man who moved into the neighborhood on Sunday attacked and killed a Charter Cable installer with a ball-peen hammer Monday afternoon, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Victorville station officials said. Rescue workers were called to a home in the 15200 block of San Jose Drive near Amargosa Road and Mojave Drive at about 5 p.m. and found the victim struggling to breathe. The victim, who is in his twenties, was taken to Victor Valley Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead.


Construction accident kills one, injures another at performing arts center site

November 9, Kansas City, Missouri - A construction accident at the future home of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts killed one man and critically injured a second this afternoon.A portable boom lift with a basket on top toppled over about 1:45 p.m. just north of the building under construction at 16th Street and Broadway. Both workers were in the basket before it plummeted about 50 feet to the pavement, said Kyle McQuiston with J.E. Dunn Construction Co. The workers apparently fell from the basket on the way down, police said.


Two tree trimmers shot, one dies in suburban West Palm Beach neighborhood

November 09, Palm Beach County, Florida - Two tree trimmers were shot, one fatally, this afternoon during an argument, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office reported. The two Asplundh workers were trimming trees along power lines behind a home in the 5000 block of Pat Place when the homeowner saw one fall from the ladder about 3:20 p.m., sheriff's spokeswoman Teri Barbera said. When deputies arrived at the neighborhood north of 45th Street and west of Haverhill Road, they realized it wasn't an electrocution, but a shooting, and a second man was also wounded, she said. He was taken to St. Mary's Medical Center where he was in critical condition tonight.


Worker fatally hit in Frederick County

November 9, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania - Police are continuing to investigate the death of a construction site employee who was struck and killed by a construction vehicle Thursday in Frederick County. According to the Maryland State Police Frederick Barracks, Carroll Michael Rehmert, 57, Brooklyn Park, Md., was pronounced dead at the scene in the area of Route 85 and Lime Kiln Road around 2:52 p.m. Police reported that Rehmert was working at the time as a flagman at a construction area where damaged lines were being repaired.


Two workers killed on I-75

November 9, Clinton, Tennessee — Two workers working on cable barrier along Interstate 75 between the Clinton/Norris exit and the Knox County line were killed Monday when they were struck by a truck, an accident which the state's transportation chief says is "all too common." "The death of these two men should serve as a reminder to all motorists of the importance of using the utmost caution when workers are present along the roadway," Gerald Nicely, Tennessee Department of Transportation commissioner, stated in a news release a few hours after the 10:45 a.m. wreck... They were identified as 18-year-old Cheyenne Dakota Burke of Bulls Gap and Jeffrey Bryan Thompson, 19, of Rogersville. Both died at the scene.


Farmer Killed When Trench Collapses

Joice, Iowa - A North Iowa farmer dies when a wall of dirt falls on top of him. It happened sometime Saturday afternoon, just East of the community of Joice, in Worth County. Joice Fire Chief Mark Delawyer said the unidentified 79 year old man went out to fix a field tile sometime around 2 or 3 p.m., on Saturday afternoon.


Kosciusko Police officer killed in chase

November 8, Jackson, Mississippi - The Koscuisko Police Department is mourning the loss of one of their own. Officer Joseph Fulton was killed early Sunday morning. Koscuisko Police Chief Ronnie J. Adams would not make any comments Sunday, but according to a source on the scene, Officer Fulton crashed his patrol car on Stonewall Road outside of Ethel. Sources say it all started around 2:45 Sunday morning when officers tried to stop a Buick Roadmaster on East Jefferson Street. The vehicle sped away and a chase ensued outside the city limits. That's when Fulton lost control of his car. Chief Adams is expected to release a statement about the death of officer Fulton Monday.


Worker dies at food company

November 6, St. Joe, Missouri - A contract employee died in an apparent industrial accident Thursday at Lifeline Foods, the chief executive officer of the food-processing company confirmed. Christopher Caraway, 36, who worked for IHP Industrial, was on the roof of the Lifeline building at the time of the accident, St. Joseph police said. It was believed the accident happened sometime between 4:30 p.m., when Mr. Caraway was last seen by another worker, and 9 p.m., when the body was discovered. St. Joseph police were called to the scene and found Mr. Caraway, of Stewartsville, lying on the roof of the building near a condenser unit he had been working on earlier in the day. Paramedics on the scene checked Mr. Caraway and confirmed that he was deceased.


Construction Worker Killed in Buckeystown

November 6, Buckeystown, Maryland - Maryland State Police say a road construction worker was killed after a co-worker backed over him with a bucket truck on Friday.It happened just before 3:00 p.m. Police say Carroll Michael Rehmert of Brooklyn Park, Maryland was working as a flagman near the intersection of Route 85 and Lime Kiln Rd when he was killed. Authorities say the 57-year-old had stopped north bound traffic when Anthony Lamburn backed into him.


6 Shot, 1 Killed, at Orlando Office Building; Suspect Caught

November 6, Orlando, Florida - A gunman opened fire Friday in the offices of an engineering firm where he was let go more than two years ago, authorities said, killing one person and injuring five others. Jason Rodriguez, 40, surrendered about three hours later, after officers saw him through the window of his mother's home and asked him to come outside, Orlando Police Chief Val Demings said.

Weekly Toll: Death in the American Workplace

Winthrop farmer found dead inside grain bin

November 5, Winthrop, Minnesota - A rural Winthrop farmer, Jerry Wannarka, was found dead inside a grain bin at his farm Monday afternoon. He was 75-years-old. The Sibley County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the emergency in Alfsborg Township, about seven miles southwest of Gaylord, at 3:32 p.m. Wannarka was reportedly buried under corn when help arrived. The cause of death is being investigated by the Medical Examiners Office for Sibley County. The Sibley County Sheriff’s Office, Gaylord Ambulance and Gaylord Fire Department were called to the scene.


YOUNG WORKER DIES IN DUMPER INCIDENT

November 4, The Mid Devon Star has reported that Police and HSE are investigating the death of 20 year-old groundworker who died when the dumper truck he was operating overturned. The incident occurred at a private residence in near Tiverton, Devon and further enquiries suggest the work may have involved construction of a pond. Comment: This latest tragic accident involving a young workman confirms recent trends towards a greater proportion of construction fatalities occurring on smaller projects.


SEPTA service suspended after worker killed by train

November 5, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Train service into Philadelphia was suspended Thursday morning after a track inspector was apparently hit and killed near Melrose Park. The inspector was reportedly killed by an in-bound train. The R2, R3 and R5 lines north of Center City are suspended after the fatal accident. The person was hit about 8:42 a.m. Passengers on those trains were sent back their original destinations.


Man Killed by I-Beam Identified

November 5, Farmington, Connecticut - Farmington Police say the construction worker killed in an accident at a home under construction Wednesday morning was a 22-year-old Hartford Man. Freddy Vasquez of 24 Putnam Heights in Hartford was struck in the head by a steel I-beam while working in the basement of a new home on Birmingham Circle, said police. He was later pronounced dead at Hartford Hospital of massive head injuries. Vasquez was reportedly working for Michael McGreal Construction, police said. The incident remains under investigation, police said.


St. Joseph employee found dead in bathroom

November 2, Versailles, Kentucky - Authorities are investigating the death of a St. Joseph Hospital employee found dead at the hospital Sunday. The body of Christopher Watts, 34, of Versailles was discovered about 6 p.m. in the second-floor staff bathroom, according to the Fayette County coroner's office. The coroner pronounced him dead just before 7 p.m. An autopsy was scheduled Monday. The coroner's office was waiting for autopsy and toxicology results before determining a cause of death.


Employee shot dead in restaurant

November 3, Yonkers, New York – An employee at the Charlie Brown’s Restaurant on Central Park Avenue in the City of Yonkers was gunned down, city police said Monday. The victim, identified as Fuad Nagi, 21, of Pine Street in Yonkers, was found at 7:10 p.m. on Saturday night, suffering from several gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Detective Division is investigating the homicide and asking anyone with information to call them at 914-377-7724 or 377-7725.


Farmer caught in auger dies

October 29, Grant County - The Grant County Coroner's Office is conducting a death investigation of a farm worker who died Thursday afternoon in an apparent auger accident. Investigators say Daniel Shock, 58, of Fairmount,was trapped in a large auger attached to a grain silo at the Ceres-Midland, Inc., farm plant at 10700 South 700 West. Chopper 13 flew over the scene around 5 p.m. Several agencies, including the State Police, Grant County EMS, and Parkview Samaritan Air Ambulance, assisted in an attempted rescue operation.


Man Dies In Industrial Accident

November 3, Redford Township, Michigan - A Redford Township man died after an accident at Voigt and Schweitzer Galvinizers Incorporated. Darryl Johnson was a temporary worker at the company located in the 12000 block of Arnold Street for the past three weeks. The 41-year-old was working with steel beams when one of the beams fell on top of him, according to his family.


Construction Worker Dies At Texas Roadhouse Site

November 3, Dallas, Texas - The construction worker who died from injuries sustained at the Texas Roadhouse construction site has been identified as 31-year-old Robert Gotschall of Mentor, Ohio. Gotschall worked for Roth Painting LLC of Bellaire, Ohio. Police say evidence suggests the man fell. The Duluth Fire Department responded to the call at 1101 Mall Drive at 5:41 p.m. on Saturday evening. Assistant Fire Chief Eric Simonson says when the crew arrived, they found the man at the bottom of an interior stairwell, which led to the roof. Simonson says the man was unconscious, not breathing, and had no pulse.


Worker killed in Allentown in tree-cutting mishap

November 4, Allentown, Pennsylvania - A 26-year-old man helping to cut down a tree on Allentown's east side was injured fatally this afternoon when a heavy tree limb fell on his head, authorities said. Christopher Rhudy of Topton, Berks County, was hit at 1:33 p.m. as he stood below the lift bucket at 618 E. Westminster St. while the other worker was sawing a high portion of the tree, city police Assistant Chief Ron Manescu said. "I wouldn't call it a homicide," Manescu said. "At the moment we're classifying it as a death investigation."


Falling Beam Kills Construction Worker

November 4, Farmington, Connecticut - A construction worker is dead after an I-beam struck him in the head on Wednesday morning. The man was working in the basement of a house under construction on Birmington Circle in Farmington around 9:30 when the accident happened. A steal I-beam fell, hit him in the head and fell on him. Other workers were able to remove the beam, police said. The man suffered massive head injuries and was rushed to a Hartford Hospital by helicopter, where he was pronounced dead, police said.


Worker killed by falling tree limb at Monmouth Battlefield

November 4, Manalapan, New Jersey — A maintenance worker at Monmouth Battlefield State Park was killed this morning when a dead tree fell and struck him in the head, authorities said. Officials said they were not releasing the man's name, because all of his relatives had not yet been notified about his death. This morning, the man -- who is in his 30s - was working on trail maintenance with another worker around 9:20 a.m., said Dana Loschiavo, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Environmental Protection, which has jurisdiction over all state parks. A dead tree was leaning against a tree the workers were cutting down, she said.


NY DOT worker struck, killed at upstate work site

November 3, Forestport, New York - Authorities say a state transportation department employee has been struck and killed while directing traffic at a work zone in central New York. The Oneida County Sheriff's Office says 48-year-old Gary Farrell of Holland Patent was working as a flagman on Route 28 Monday when he was struck by a pickup truck in Forestport, 55 miles northeast of Syracuse. Deputies say the 63-year-old woman driving the truck hasn't been charged, but their investigation is continuing.


Tree service owner killed on job

October 31, Laurinburg, North Carolina - The owner of a Laurinburg tree company was killed Thursday in a work-related accident. Robert Milton Walters, Jr., 44, of Andrew Jackson Highway, Laurel Hill, died after a tree fell on him, according to a Robeson County sheriff's report. Walters was working at 208 Jam Drive, Parkton when a rope supporting a tree snapped, the report said. The tree fell on Walters, who was cutting the base of the tree. He was taken by EMS to Southeastern Regional Medical Center, where he died of his injuries. He was the owner of Robert's Tree Service in Laurinburg. His wife, Hilary, said Walters had been working in lumber trade since he was 16.


Construction worker falls to his death in church building

October 30, Bullard, Texas - An East Texas man falls to his death Friday morning while working on a construction project at a church. Justice of the Peace James Morris said 41-year-old Hermilo Pimentel died instantly when he fell around 7:45am at the First Baptist Church in Bullard. According to Pastor Scott Brown, Pimentel was hanging sheet rock in what will soon be a family life center at the church. However, according to Morris, Pimentel stepped back into a construction hole on the second floor and fell to the ground. Emergency officials were called immediately.


Calif. Officer Killed in Motorcycle Collision

October 31, Los Olivos, California - An on-duty California Highway Patrol officer was killed Thursday, October 29, within days of completing his first year of service. Officer Jarrod John Martinez collided on his motorcycle with a sports car and was dragged about 45 feet under the vehicle, the CHP said on Friday. The incident occurred in Los Olivos, in Santa Barbara County, near State Route 154. Martinez, 30, graduated from the CHP Academy on October 31, 2008. He is survived by his wife Trish and his daughter Julia.


UPDATE: One officer killed, one wounded in Leschi shooting

October 30, Seattle, Washington - Listen to the full Sunday afternoon briefing here from Interium Seattle Police Chief John Diaz, Mayor Greg Nickels and others: Seattle police had no clear suspects or even a specific color of a suspect vehicle after one officer was killed and his student trainee was wounded Saturday night when someone fired on their parked patrol car. The deceased officer was identified as field training officer Timothy Q. Brenton, 39, of Marysville. He joined the Seattle police department in December 2000. He is survived by his wife, an 11-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son, and his father, a retired Seattle police officer.


Ind. farm worker dies after leg trapped in auger

October 30, Point Isabel, Indiana - Authorities say a central Indiana man died while emergency workers were trying to free him after his leg became trapped in a grain auger. The Grant County coroner says 58-year-old Daniel Shock of Fairmount died Thursday at a farm near the community of Point Isabel. Coroner Stephen Dorsey says Shock's co-workers found him in the grain auger's conveyor with his leg badly injured and pinned under a support bar.


Police identify DOT flagman killed while working in Forestport

November 2, Utica, New York - The driver who struck and killed a state Department of Transportation flagman on Route 28 Monday would have passed three warning signs and had 1500 feet to react after seeing the first, a DOT official said. Regional DOT spokeswoman Alice Romanych said the death of 48-year-old highway maintenance worker Gary Farrell is the DOT’s first work-related employee death in the Mohawk Valley in decades. “Highway maintenance workers are out there putting their lives on the line every day,” Romanych said after the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office identified Farrell as the victim Monday. “Most days they all go home. Unfortunately, today one of them didn’t. It is a tragedy and something I wish we never had to discuss.”


Construction worker killed in hit-and-run accident

October 26, West Valley City, Utah - Troopers are looking for a hit-and-run driver who they say killed a construction worker on Interstate 215 Sunday night. The Utah Highway Patrol says the worker was killed while walking in a construction zone on I-215 near 3300 South. UHP says the truck was traveling in a southbound lane, when it drifted into a barreled off construction area and struck the worker. The hit-and-run driver is still at large. Troopers say the truck went into that lane traveling more than 40 miles per hour when the worker was hit from behind.


Worker Falls Off Maryland Roof, Dies

October 30, New Carrollton, Maryland - New Carrollton Police say a construction worker was killed when he fell off of a roof on Friday afternoon. It happened on Chestnut Avenue in New Carrollton. Prince George's County Fire officials say someone who was working on the roof fell off and died. No other details were immediately available. Another person was being treated at the scene of the fall, but there's no word yet on who that person is or what their injuries are.


Sumter cab driver shot in the chest

October 30, Columbia, South Carolina - A cab driver was shot early Thursday on Hannah Street but managed to drive back to the cab stand on South Main Street, officials said. Jacob Wilson, 64, of 204 Royal Ave., was shot in the chest, said Sumter police Capt. Alvin Holston, and is expected to recover. A bullet entered the left side of Wilson's chest and exited the right side, Holston said. A report states that Wilson was driving a Buick with a 46-year-old female passenger about 1:09 a.m. and was turning onto Hannah Court from Hannah Street when two black males approached the car and fired into the cab. Holston said it's unclear how many shots were fired, but investigators think the weapon was of a small caliber.


Gunman Kills Office Worker, Self Near Rosedale

October 30, Rosedale, Maryland - Baltimore County Police say a man walked into an advertising company near Rosedale and shot a man several times, killing him. It happened about 12:30 p.m. on Friday. Police spokesman Bill Toohey says the gunman then walked outside Keary Advertising in the 7200 block of Rolling Mill Road and shot himself in the upper body. He was taken to Bayview Medical Center and pronounced dead about an hour later. The victim died at the scene.


Construction worker struck and killed by truck

October 31, Chicago, Illinois - A construction worker directing traffic at a southwest suburban work site was struck and killed today by a gravel truck that was heading to the same company where the victim was employed. The accident happened shortly after 9 a.m. in Chicago Ridge at 99th Street and Ridgeland Avenue, where crews were working on a road project. Joseph Bartkowiak, 56, a worker for Crowley-Shepherd Asphalt Inc., was acting as a flagger, directing traffic at the location, when the truck hit him while turning from southbound Ridgeland to westbound 99th, police said.


Man killed in Grant County grain auger accident

October 29, Grant County, Indiana - According to WISH Channel 8 News, a Fairmount farmer was killed Thursday when his legs were caught in a grain auger in Converse. Emergency crews were reportedly on the scene.


Police: Man shoots two co-workers, self in Cathedral City murder/suicide

October 29, Police said four employees of Luxury Rent-A-Car, 68-350 E. Palm Canyon Drive, were meeting at the office just before the 10:30 a.m. shooting. Police said they do not know the subject matter of the meeting. "It was just a business meeting, and I can't say any more than that," said Barry Curtis, the manager of Luxury Rent-A-Car. Curtis said the meeting involved employees from multiple offices. All the meeting's participants were middle-aged men, and at least two were from the Los Angeles area, police said. During the meeting, one man got a handgun from another room and shot one of the others once, killing him. Man trimming tree in SC dies when hit by 2nd tree


Man trimming tree in SC dies when hit by 2nd tree

October 30, Moncks Corner, South Carolina - A man trimming a tree in eastern South Carolina has died when he was struck by a second tree. The Post and Courier of Charleston reported that 46-year-old Donald Twiggs died Thursday when he was struck about five miles south of Moncks Corner. Berkeley County Deputy Coroner Bill Salisbury says the accident occurred shortly before noon when Twiggs was trimming a tree and a nearby tree fell and pinned him. Salisbury says Twiggs died from a blow to the head.

Education and Labor Committee

Today the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing on Nevada’s workplace health and safety program and Federal OSHA's review of Nevada's state plan.

A Federal OSHA task force conducted a special study of the Nevada State Plan. It concluded that Nevada OSHA
• avoided classifying violations as repeat or willful violations
• identified hazards during inspections that were not addressed in citations.
• did not follow-up inspections
• did not track abatements
• did not make certain that employers carried out abatement.
• inspectors were not properly trained
• many times did not ensure injury and illness logs was not obtained by inspectors.
• failed to notify more than half the families that there was an investigation involving their loved ones death.

During the hearing

Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Jordan Barab pointed out there could be a few advantages to State plans; they add resources to the Federal program, they cover state and local government employees, they can possibly address more workplace hazards, they can conduct more inspections and strengthen enforcement and standards. Jordan also agreed that that the tribulations in Nevada were leadership problem.

Debi Koehler-Fergen also testified in the memory of her son, Travis, who was killed at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Debi stated "The Federal OSHA review of the Nevada State plan agency confirms that NV OSHA utterly failed not only my son and Richard, but also all workers in the state of Nevada...My son trusted his employers and never would have dreamt that on that fateful day he would be called upon to intentionally be put in a deadly situation."

A few of Debi's concerns were after reading OSHA's report was that NV OSHA lack of training. Two of NV inspectors had been conducting fatality investigations without accident investigation training. One employee hired in 1993 had not even received basic training for initial compliance. Debi was also troubled about the political connections that could influence the outcome of investigations and they way families were treated during these investigations.
Debi also explained the calloused treatment she received. ." “Adding insult to injury when we arrived to pick up the report I was told to come in the back lobby area and he would be right down (reporters were expected to be coming to the front door and going to their office). Instead of inviting us to his office he stood by the back elevator explaining why they reduced the citations while employees were walking past us watching me cry as I was understandably upset. At no time did he offer me a chair or to go to a private room while I digested what was going on around me. He did not show me common courtesy and was the most unprofessional encounter I have ever had.” ."

Rep. George Miller closed with the Smell test. He stated.” “If you get seven out of eight people dyeing you don’t end up with a serious violation, willful violation, that’s a fact (not a perception). The finding of the review is that willful violations were discouraged because of a lack of management and legal counsel support so I mean this is almost a set up. You have such bad recordkeeping, you have such bad training and you have such bad suck a lack of resources or skilled people apparently her that can do this that you end up seven out of eight nothing happened, essentially nothing happens for the death of a worker. I mean that is not a perception there is something very wrong with that, it just doesn’t pass the smell test.”
Miller also alluded to the fact that Nevada State OSHA may not have a grasp of the situation the inspector were busting the humps to insure enforcement but many times over ridden What is the message to the employer when they become exempt from inspections, willful citations and abated fines.

Well the families know well what this message it sends…you have a license to kill. Good Going Debi you persistence and hard work is paying off!

Weekly Toll: Death in the American Workplace

S. Jersey man dies in workplace incident

October 24, Berlin Township, New Jersey — An employee of a local firm has died in a workplace accident in western Pennsylvania. Yamil Gonzalez, 29, was crushed by a concrete slab while working at a construction site in Plum, Pa., on Thursday, police said. Gonzalez worked for P & B Partitions of Berlin Township and lived in New Jersey, officials said. A P & B representative could not be reached Friday night. Police said Gonzalez was moving a piece of machinery on the fourth floor of a assisted living center that's under construction, when a crane hit a concrete floor slab above him and caused it to fall.


Fayette miner dies in hoisting accident

October 27, Fayette County, West Virginia - A Fayette County man was killed in a hoisting accident at a Newtown Energy coal mine in Kanawha County Tuesday morning. In a statement issued by Newtown Energy, Charles Dixon, 53, of Fayette CSheriff's deputy dies doing traffic control. The annual Fright Farm in Maplewood, put on by the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department, was the scene of tragedy last Saturday night. According to reports, around 8:30 p.m., Michael Wilken, a reserve sheriff's deputy, was struck and killed as he helped direct traffic on White Bear Avenue.


Fall at CPS Energy plant left worker dead

October 28, San Antonio, TX — A contract worker was killed in an accident at a CPS Energy power plant. The 27-year-old worker died after falling nearly 30 feet to his death on Monday, October 26, 2009 around 11:45 p.m., at the JK Spruce II project located in the 9500 block of Gardner Road on the north side of the lake, as reported by the San Antonio Express. According to CPS Energy officials, a contract worker employed by Calaveras Power Partners was installing a new piece of catwalk at the construction site, when the worker stepped on an unsecured portion of the catwalk, which caused it to tip. The worker then lost his balance and fell nearly 30 feet to the ground. A coworker, who was working with the man at the time of the accident, stated the man was wearing a safety harness, but didn’t have it secured to anything. Responding emergency medical services (EMS) professionals pronounced the worker dead around 12:30 a.m.


Worker Stabbed to Death at Washington Heights Restaurant

October 27, New York, New York - A bouncer was stabbed to death early Tuesday morning after ejecting three men from the Manhattan restaurant where he worked, police said. It was Karaoke night at La Casa Del Mofongo, a 24-hour Latin restaurant on St. Nicholas Avenue in Washington Heights. The bar was hopping, police said. The bouncer, who hasn't been identified pending family notification, asked the men to leave because they were getting rowdy, police said. The men then got into a scuffle that spilled out onto the street and the bouncer was stabbed several times in the torso. The victim was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at New York Presbyterian Hospital -- Columbia.


Juárez: Police commander, bar employee slain

October 25, El Paso, Texas - A Juárez city police commander and an employee of a popular bar were killed Friday evening when gunmen opened fire, Chihuahua State police said. Just before 6:30 p.m., a group of gunmen began firing inside Pockets, a bar on Oscar Flores Boulevard, killing Francisco Lazarín Núñez, 38, commander of the theft investigation special unit in Juárez, and Jimmy Cristopher Jensen, 25, who worked at the bar. An unidentified man was wounded in the shooting attack and was taken to a hospital, Chihuahua police said.


Worker dies after fall from scaffolding

October 26, Moss Point, Mississippi - Jackson County Coroner Vicki Broadus said a contract worker from Louisiana died Saturday night following a scaffolding accident at a V.T. Halter Marine, Inc., project site. Broadus said Sunday that 23-year-old Andrew L. Magee died as a result of injuries he suffered after apparently falling about 60 feet from some scaffolding at the worksite. She says Magee was taken to Singing River Hospital shortly after the accident and was pronounced dead at the hospital at 7:48 p.m. She said Magee died of multiple blunt force injuries, which were secondary to the fall.


Farm worker killed in manure pit

October 26, Eau Claire, Wisconsin - The Dunn County Sheriff's Department says it happened around 10:30 Monday morning at the Steven Weinzirl Farm in the town of Eau Galle southwest of Menomonie. 31-year-old Candelario Rayon from Mexico was operating a skid steer when it went into a manure pit and overturned in about seven and a half feet of manure. Deputies say Rayon had been working at the farm for about a year.


Construction worker hit, killed on Interstate 215

October 26, West Valley City, Utah - The Utah Highway Patrol says a construction worker on Interstate 215 was hit and killed by a motorist who then fled the scene. In a news release, the UHP says Brayden F. Beddoes died after the scene Sunday. The accident happened about 7:40 p.m. Witnesses told officers the pickup truck had veered off the highway and into a construction zone that was blocked with barrels. They say that after hitting the 20-year-old Beddoes the truck continued traveling south.


Police officer killed in collision

October 23, A POLICE officer was killed and two others injured when their patrol car collided with a cement truck yesterday. The three officers were responding to reports of a major disturbance in the Sunshine Park area when the crash happened. Assistant Commissioner of Police Hulan Hanna said that as is standard procedure, the unit's siren and beacon lights were on. According to reports, the patrol car was travelling east on Carmichael Road as a small white car was pulling out of Fire Trail Road.


Worker Crushed In Plum Construction Accident

October 22, Plum, Pensylvania - Police and OSHA officials are investigating after a worker was apparently crushed to death by a large chunk of concrete this afternoon in Plum Boro. The accident happened just after 2 p.m. at the Longwood at Oakmont Assisted Living community, which is on the Plum-Oakmont border. Authorities say the accident happened when a crane hit some concrete flooring, which then tumbled onto the worker who was on the floor below. "There was an incident about 2 p.m. this afternoon," said Patricia Kornick, of Presbyterian SeniorCare. "It resulted in the death of a 29-year-old subcontractor on the project."


Falling rocks kill worker

October 26, Kermit, West Virgina — A machine operator was crushed to death by falling rock inside a railroad tunnel Thursday near Kermit, W.Va. Sue Barazi, spokesperson for the Charleston, W.Va., office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, said the accident occurred sometimes between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. Barazi said crews were conducting maintenance work inside the Norfolk Southern tunnel when the accident occurred. The 27-year-old victim was operating an excavator inside or near the tunnel entrance when he was crushed by falling rocks, she said.


Worker Dies After Being Trapped In Trash Compactor

October 24, North Hills, California ― A worker who died after getting trapped inside a trash compactor at a Southland factory was identified Saturday. Emergency personnel were called to the factory at 3:44 p.m. at 8201 N. Woodley Avenue Friday afternoon, City Fire Department spokesman Devin Gales said. When they arrived, paramedics found 64-year-old Efren Monterroso dead at the scene. Gales said the Lake View Terrace resident was inside the trash compactor when it somehow turned on. The cause of the accident is under investigation.


Construction Worker Dies After Fall At Work Site

October 23, Santa Barbara, CA - The Santa Barbara County Coroner's Office confirmed with KEY News, that Rene Vargas of Santa Maria died after impaling himself at a work site. The 24-year-old Santa Maria man was working at a construction site in Hope Ranch on Tuesday, when he fell into a pit, landing on a piece of rebar. The impact of the fall caused the rebar to penetrate Vargas' head. Vargas was rushed to Santa Barbara's Cottage Hospital, where he later died. According to Santa Barbara County Fire Department, the responding agency, Cal OSHA has launched an investigation.


Sanitation worker pinned between two vehicles dies

October 23, Hrillsborough County, Florida - An early morning accident pinned a sanitation worker between two vehicles, killing him. Hillsborough Sheriff's deputies said a Toyota, driven by Llyod Cribbs, rear ended a santiation truck, pinning the worker between the two vehicles. Investigators say the truck was stopped in the north bound lane of Parsons Avenue to pick up garbage around 6 a.m. The sanitation worker was in the back of the truck when the Toyota crashed into the rear end of the truck. The worker died at the scene. The truck was belonged to Republic Waste Services.


1 dead, 1 injured in crash in highway construction zone

October 24, Castle Rock, Colorado — One man is dead and another is seriously injured after a traffic accident in a construction zone on Colorado 470 in Douglas County. The Colorado State Patrol says 40-year-old Christopher Chialtas of Highlands Ranch was driving in the right lane of eastbound C-470 early Saturday. The patrol says the right lane was closed for construction and the car driven by Chialtas struck the rear of a street sweeper and then hit other equipment. Authorities say Chialtas, who wasn't wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the hospital. Construction worker Donald Pacheco of Pueblo was thrown from the street sweeper. The State Patrol says he had serious injuries and was taken to Littleton Hospital.


Worker electrocuted in St. Paul

October 24, St. Paul, Minn. — St. Paul officials say a man working in a manhole was electrocuted when he hit live wires. St. Paul Fire Marshal Steve Zaccard (ZAK'-kurd) says firefighters were called at 9:05 a.m. Friday and found the man dead. Police spokesman Paul Schnell says the man was working with cable when the accident happened. His name has not been released, and it wasn't immediately known who he worked for.


Worker killed after clothing got entangled in sewer equipment

October 24, Chicago, IL — A man died from his injuries he sustained when a piece of his clothing became entangled in a piece of sewer equipment on Tuesday, October 20, 2009. The construction accident happened on Saturday, October 17, 2009 around 7:30 a.m. outside a home on the 700 block of North Merrill Street, as reported by Pioneer Local. Park Ridge police reported, Joseph Patyk, 32, of the 800 bock of Lawndale Avenue in Skokie, was working with a power rodder to clean out a drain outside a home. A piece of Patyk’s clothing apparently got caught in the machine and twisted the clothing around the workers neck.


Man killed by train identified

October 23, Malvern, Iowa - Authorities have identified the Malvern man killed by a train as 20-year-old Christopher Aguirre. Aguirre was struck Thursday night by a Burlington Northern-Santa Fe train as it passed through Malvern. The incident remains under investigation. The sheriff's office said it hasn't yet determined why Aguirre was on the tracks. According to Deputy Bruce Paulson, the 911 call came just after 9 p.m. A worker with the Burlington Northern Railroad reported that his train hit a man along Second Avenue near Malvern. Malvern Fire and Rescue and Glenwood Rescue responded, but paramedics had trouble locating the man. It took a few minutes to find him, said Paulson.


Sanitation worker killed in crash

October 23, Tampa Bay, Florida - A sanitation worker was killed when a car crashed into a garage truck, Hillsborough County deputies said. The sanitation truck was stopped in the northbound lane of Parsons Avenue south of U.S. 92 for garbage pickup around 6 a.m., according to the sheriff's office. Deputies said the driver of a Toyota, also traveling northbound, crashed into the rear of the garbage truck, pinning the worker between the truck and the car. Frederick Solomon, 34, of Bradenton, died at the scene, deputies said.


Man killed by cardboard crushing machine in Los Angeles

October 23, Los Angeles, California - A 60-year-old man was fatally crushed in an industrial compactor this afternoon, authorities said. The man was working at 8201 N. Woodley Ave. in Van Nuys when the accident occurred. The compactor was believed to be crushing cardboard at the time, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Devin Gales said. The Los Angeles County coroner and the Los Angeles Police Department are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.


Tree trimmer killed at job

October 22, Alamogordo, New Mexico - A 63-year-old Cloudcroft business man is dead after he fell from a bucket truck while trimming pine trees Sunday, a police spokesman said. Chief Matt Flotte said Joseph L. Mancillas was trimming some trees on Swallow Place at a local business. Flotte said the village of Cloudcroft volunteer paramedics arrived on the scene and performed CPR. "The medics landed a helicopter and worked on him for 20 minutes before pronouncing him deceased," Flotte said. "Mancillas fell from about 20 to 25 feet."


Man electrocuted in Midland

October 23, Midland County, Texas - Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials investigated a drilling pad Thursday after an industrial accident there killed an oilfield worker in southern Midland County, county fire marshal Dale Little said. The man, whose full name was not known Thursday, was electrocuted after a mast he was installing touched a 14,000-volt power line at about 10 a.m. Wednesday. Little said the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Little said the man worked for Harris Rat Hole Service Co. and was installing a mast on a pad about 13 miles south of Midland, in a ranch along State Highway 349.


Construction worker killed in accident in Verona

October 22, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - A man was killed this afternoon when he was struck by falling concrete in a construction accident at Longwood at Oakmont, an assisted living facility in Verona. An initial investigation suggests Yamil Gonzalez, 29, was working on the fourth floor of a structure when a crane lifting materials struck the fifth floor, causing a piece of concrete to fall on him, Plum police Chief Frank Monaco said.


New York Construction Accident Alert: Worker killed by dump truck!

October 22, Penn Yan, NY – A man was fatally injured when he was working on a boat house and a dump truck barreled into the site and crushed the worker on Tuesday, October 20, 2009, announced the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. The construction worker from Penn Yan, New York was working alongside two other workers at the boat house when suddenly a dump truck transporting stones for the work site lost control and the truck rolled down the 25-foot hill crashed into the boathouse and killed the worker inside. The Yate’s County Sheriff’s department identified the worker as 28-year-old Joshua Larham. The accident took place on Lower East Lake Road in the town of Milo.


Worker Dies In Tunnel Accident

October 22, Charleston, Virginia - A man working in a railroad tunnel in Mingo County was killed Thursday morning when a large rock fell on top of him. OSHA Assistant Area Director Sue Barazi says the man was operating equipment in the tunnel at Marrowbone Creek Road near Kermit at about 5 a.m. Thursday when the accident occurred. Barazi says the victim worked for Johnson Western Gunite Construction. Norfolk Southern owns the tunnel. The victim's name has not been released.

Weekly Toll: Death in the American Workplace

Oilfield Worker Dies in Industrial Accident

October 21, Midland County - An oilfield worker is dead after an industrial accident on Wednesday morning in south Midland County. The accident happened around ten, 13 miles south of the City of Midland in a field just off Highway 349. According to Midland County officials, a crew was setting up a small rig beneath some power lines.


State investigating fall that killed Norfolk worker

October 21, Norfolk, Virginia - Virginia Occupational Safety and Health officials are investigating why a veteran employee fell to his death Tuesday morning at a Hampton Roads Sanitation District plant, a district spokeswoman said today. Randy Piche, 57, a lead operator, had worked at the Army Base Treatment Plant for 37 years, said Nancy Munnikhuysen, the spokeswoman.


Truck crashes into NY boathouse, killing worker

October 21, Milo, Nkew York - Authorities say a construction worker was killed when a truck hauling stone crashed into the Finger Lakes boathouse where he was working. The Yates County Sheriff's Office says 28-year-old Joshua Larham of Penn Yan was killed in Tuesday afternoon's accident in the town of Milo, on the northern end of Keuka (KYOO'-kuh) Lake, 48 miles southeast of Rochester. Deputies say Larham was working inside the boathouse when the truck delivering stone to the site rolled down a 25-foot-high embankment and crushed the building.


Shooting Reported At Magic Mirror Salon

October 20, Jackson, Mississippi - Jackson police said two people were killed Monday during a shooting at a beauty salon. The shooting happened at about 5:15 p.m. at Magic Mirror Beauty Salon at 3943 Hanging Moss Road, police said. Gerrick Watson, 36, an employee at the salon, was found dead outside the business, police said. Christopher Bowling, 33, died at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The Hinds County coroner said he died from multiple gunshots to the chest and back.


Victim of explosion named

October 20, Columbus, Ohio – Authorities have identified the 47-year-old Columbus man who was killed following an explosion at American Packaging Corporation in Columbus on Sunday evening. Medical examiner Angela Hinze said Jeffrey A. Doxtater “died as a result of the injuries he sustained due to the explosion.” Hinze said an autopsy conducted on Monday found that Doxtater died of blunt force trauma.


Atlantic City honors casino killing victim

October 20, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - During his career as a supervisor at the Taj Mahal Casino Resort, Ray Kot was known as a peacemaker, a gentle, unflappable soul skilled at defusing the difficult and potentially volatile situations that can arise when money, alcohol and stress mix on the gambling floor. When he was shot to death inside the casino in May, allegedly by a man who claimed various casinos had cheated him, co-workers said the tragedy was compounded by the loss of such a soothing presence. "He had a knack for defusing difficult situations," said Leo Flasch, the Taj Mahal's night supervisor who would succeed Kot at the end of each shift. "The combination of alcohol and gamblers losing money is a volatile situation.


Service Saturday for St. Louis police officer killed in crash

October 21, St. Louis, Missouri — The funeral will be Saturday for St. Louis police Officer Julius Moore, 23, who died Oct. 15 of injuries suffered nine days earlier in a traffic crash while responding to call. The service will begin at 10 a.m. at the City of Life Christian Church, at 8333 Fullerton Avenue in University City. Burial will be in St. Peters Cemetery, at 2101 Lucas and Hunt Road in Normandy. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Austin A. Layne Mortuary's Renaissance Building, at 7302 West Florissant Avenue in Jennings.


Chargers' game-day staff worker dies after fall

October 20, Los Angeles, California - A worker who fell out of the press box at Qualcomm Stadium on Monday has died from his injuries. Walt Daniels, who worked as part of the San Diego Chargers' game-day staff for more than 20 years, died after falling 25-30 feet from the press box prior to Monday's game between the Chargers and the Denver Broncos. Witnesses said he sustained massive head injuries before being transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego. Daniels, 66, died at 2:30 a.m. this morning. It is unclear why he fell out of the press box.


Construction worker crushed to death at Broomfield's Anthem Ranch

October 20, Boulder, Colorado - A 50-year-old construction worker was crushed to death Monday by a 32.5-ton earth mover in an accident at the Anthem Ranch development in northern Broomfield. Roderick Seymour, of Fort Lupton, was operating the machine near the intersection of Anthem Ranch Road and Lowell Boulevard when the accident happened just after 2 p.m.. According to preliminary reports from the North Metro Fire Rescue District, Seymour exited the vehicle and was standing behind it when it rolled back over him. He was pronounced dead shortly after emergency crews arrived, North Metro spokeswoman Wendy Forbes said.


Oregon farmer killed harvesting onions

October 19, Klamath Falls, Oregon - Klamath County authorities say a Malin man died in a farm accident during the onion harvest. Sheriff Tim Evinger says 46-year-old Juan Manuel Martinez was trying to walk between a slow-moving farm tractor and trailer when he fell was run over by the left front tires of the trailer. Martinez was pronounced dead at Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls.


Train Accident in College Station Leaves Aggie Dead

October 16, Cleveland, Ohio - A Texas A&M student was killed early Friday morning after being hit by a train on Wellborn near Old Main in College Station. When officers arrived just after 2:00 a.m., they found the engine had stopped and a pedestrian was located on the tracks under the train. The man killed has been identified as Patrick Noel Jernigan, 22, from Cleveland, Texas, according to police. Jernigan is listed on A&M's website as a senior Industrial Distribution student. Texas A&M University Police and College Station Police are investigating the accident.


Construction worker fatally struck in Berwyn hit-and-run

October 19, Berwyn, Illinois - A construction worker was killed by a car in a hit-and-run accident in west suburban Berwyn on Sunday morning. Orlando Farias, 47, of the 300 block of Lawrence Ave. in Elgin was pronounced dead at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood at 6:37 a.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office. A Monday autopsy revealed Farias died of multiple injuries from an automobile striking a pedestrian and his death was ruled an accident, the medical examiner's office said.


Steamboat Briefs: Meier killed by blast of compressed air

October 17, The worker who died in a construction accident near the base of the ski area was killed by a blast of compressed air that entered his ear and caused a brain hemorrhage, Routt County Coroner Rob Ryg said Friday. Hayden resident Brady Meier was working at the base of Steamboat Ski Area on Oct. 9 in a small utility vault, about 3 feet deep, 4 feet wide and 3 feet long, when the cap on a pipe burst off. Meier was taken to Yampa Valley Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.


Man killed at Northborough construction site

October 17, Northborough, Massachusetts - A Worcester man was killed yesterday when he was pinned by a forklift he was trying to fix at a Rte. 9 construction site, police said. Richard DiPietro, 65, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 1:03 p.m. accident at The Loop, a shopping center being built at routes 9 and 20, said Sgt. James Bruce. DiPietro, a mechanic who had been called in to fix the forklift, was pinned by the machine's arms, he said. He had been working for Beauregard Construction of Worcester, according to the police report. A listing for the company could not be found.


Young St. Louis police officer dies from crash injuries

October 16, St. Louis, Missouri - A young member of the St. Louis Police Department has died of injuries from an Oct. 6 crash in his patrol car, the department announced Friday. Officer Julius Moore, 23, died about 6 p.m. Thursday at St. Louis University Hospital. Moore was hurt when he collided with a tractor-trailer at South Broadway and Arsenal Street. Moore was in his patrol car, with the lights and sirens on, rushing to help other officers catch burglars, police say.


Wayne County sheriff's officer collapses, dies

October 16, Detroit, Michigan - A 37-year-old Wayne County sheriff's officer collapsed at roll call and later died. The Detroit News reports 13-year sheriff's veteran Cpl. Jammie B. Smith collapsed Thursday and was pronounced dead at Detroit Receiving Hospital. Sheriff Benny Napoleon says Smith was "a dedicated professional, devoted husband and father." WWJ-AM says survivors include his wife, Sharon, and two sons. Funeral arrangements are pending. A cause of death wasn't yet known.


Worker Hit By Truck In Mt. Lebanon, Dies

October 16, Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania - Mt. Lebanon police are investigating the death of a man who was struck by a contractor's vehicle while on a job Friday afternoon. Police said the man either tried to grab onto or fell beneath a truck as it was moving on Colonial Drive, where Hanula Concrete Pumping was working on a private contracting job. The victim -- identified as Jon Polcawich Jr., 34, of Beaver -- was taken to UPMC Mercy hospital and later died.


Worker Dies After Explosion, Fire At Columbus Plant

October 19, Columbus, Wisconsin - Authorities are investigating the death of a man after an explosion and fire at a Columbus plant. The building fire happened Sunday night at the American Packaging Corp. in the 800 block of West James Street. Fire officials said the maintenance employee was killed while using a hand-held grinder on some floor bolts at about 6 p.m. Fire Chief Randy Koehn said sparks ignited some vapors, causing the explosion and fire. Koehn said the explosion ripped apart the sprinkler system in the room. He said that caused water to spill from the pipes, containing fire damage to the room.


Ga. worker dies at Habitat for Humanity site

October 15, Atlanta, Georgia - A contractor was killed at a Habitat for Humanity construction site in southwest Atlanta after he was buried under at least five feet of dirt when a sewer trench where he was working collapsed. Omar Ismael, 23, died of asphyxia Thursday when the trench caved in, said Dr. Randy Hanzlick, Fulton County's chief medical examiner. He said Ismael likely died within minutes of the trench collapse, although rescue crews didn't recover the body until hours later.


Millom factory worker killed

October 15, A MAN who suffered serious head injuries while working at a factory has died. Michael Pattinson, 59, had been emptying rubbish into a skip at Tornado Wire in Devonshire Road, Millom. He was later found lying on the floor by a worker from a nearby company. Mr Pattinson, of Queen’s Park, Millom, had suffered serious head injuries.


Man killed in Elk Grove Village industrial accident

October 15, Elk Grove, Chicago - A 63-year-old industrial worker was killed Wednesday afternoon in an accident in Elk Grove Village. Dennis Woods, of West Chicago, was killed shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday after being crushed while handling a large aluminum coil at Material Sciences Corp., 2200 Pratt Blvd.. The coil reportedly weighs about 18,500 pounds and about 5,800 feet long. Woods was trying to move the coil from a storage area onto a machine to receive a paint finish when the coil fell off and trapped him underneath, Elk Grove Village Fire Battalion Chief William Sellers said.


Taxi driver killed in Highway 24 crash involving big rig

October 15, Orinda, California — A San Francisco-based taxi driver was killed early this morning on Highway 24 when his car was struck by a big rig that jackknifed trying to avoid him, authorities said. The man killed in the collision was identified as Adimas Kassie, 33, of Daly City. According to the California Highway Patrol, the taxi driver was in the westbound lanes east of Camino Pablo about 1:40 a.m. when he drifted into the right shoulder, then overcorrected left across the freeway and struck the center divider, leaving the cab facing oncoming traffic, said Officer Tom Maguire. What caused him to drift is under investigation.


Bulldozer slips; pinned worker from Fayette dies

October 15, Ossian, Iowa — Authorities say a Fayette man died after he was pinned by a small bulldozer that he was working on at a construction equipment company in Ossian. Officials say Patrick O'Shaughnessy, 60, was working on the bulldozer Monday at Reilly Construction when it apparently slipped off the jacks, pinning him. His co-workers used a crane to lift the bulldozer. O'Shaughnessy was pronounced dead at the scene.


Man killed in Springfield orchard accident

October 15, Springfield, Oregon - A 59-year-old man died in a mishap while harvesting hazelnuts at a Springfield orchard. Springfield police say the man was pulled into an auger attached to a harvester when he tried to clear the device to make room for more nuts. His jacket got twisted in the machinery, causing him to suffocate. A co-worker found the man Tuesday, and he was declared dead at the scene. The Register-Guard newspaper reports an autopsy Wednesday confirmed the cause of death.


Worker Struck and Killed on Farmington Road

October 15, Peoria, Illinois - A worker is struck and killed on Farmington Road Thursday morning. Terra Engineering employee 28-year-old David Kim of Chicago was installing a traffic counter in the 2300 block of Farmington at 5:50 Thursday morning. His truck with caution lights was parked on the east bound shoulder, while Kim was working on the west bound side of the road. A man driving a Buick LaSabre heading east bound changed lanes and then struck and killed Kim. Kim was wearing a reflective vest.


Construction worker killed in trench collapse

October 15, Atlanta, Georgia - Police took down the yellow tape blocking off 7th Street in southwest Atlanta and a woman ran past police and firefighters toward the muddy trench where a construction worker disappeared into the wet earth. "Where's my brother? Where's my brother?" she screamed as she ran toward the site where he'd been buried alive. Rescue workers had just pulled the man's body from beneath five feet of dirt piled in a collapsed sewer trench being built for a Habitat for Humanity home under construction.


Medford pilot killed in crash loved flying

October 14, Medford, Oregon - Daniel Townsend loved the freedom of flying and left behind a long list of family members who wanted him to take them on a helicopter ride. The 37-year-old Medford resident made his last flight Monday after the McDonnell Douglas 369FF helicopter he piloted crashed in Central Oregon. Townsend was hanging a power line near the small town of Spray when the helicopter's rotor struck a pole. He was working for Johnny Cat/Pacific Rim Helicopters out of Jacksonville.

Weekly Toll: Death in the American Workplace

Animal Control Officer Dies In Line Of Duty

October 11, American Fork, Utah - Sunday night, a celebrated Utah high school band honored a music instructor who died trying to save a busload of students the night before. That bus, carrying the American Fork High School Band, swerved off I-15 north of the Utah-Idaho and landed on its side. Thirty-three-year-old woodwind instructor Heather Christensen died at the scene. Students and friends from two schools came together Sunday to remember the woodwind instructor. One parent described the tightly knit group of students and their families as one large family. They are accustomed to many hours together in rehearsal, in travel and now in grief.


Animal Control Officer Dies In Line Of Duty

October 12, Plainfield, Connecticut -- Calling hours are scheduled Monday night for a Plainfield animal control officer who died from injuries suffered while on the job. Police said the residents of a home on Green Hollo Road called Plainfield Animal Control before 11 p.m. to report a pit bull on the property. The residents said the dog would not let them leave their home. Animal Control Officer Theresa Foss, 48, suffered severe head trauma while responding to reports of a loose pit bull on Sept. 29. Police said the dog lunged at Foss and may have caused her to fall.


Metro officer killed, second in critical condition after car crash

October 7, Las Vegas, Nevada - Update: A Metro Police officer has died following a car accident Wednesday night. Officer Milburn "Millie" Beitel died at UMC following surgery. Officer Beitel was 30 years old and spent most of his life in Las Vegas, attending Greenspun Middle School and Silverado High School. The other officer remains at UMC in serious but stable condition.


UPDATE:

Update: Worker dies in Philadelphia lift tip-over

October 12, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - James Wilson, 40, of Glassboro, NJ, died after falling 125 feet from a boom lift he was working from. Industry sources told ALH the piece of equipment looked like a JLG 1250AJP, a 125-foot articulated jib plus UltraBoom from Interstate Aerials. While working on a church roof around 1:30pm on October 12, the lift moved over a grate on the sidewalk, causing the grate to buckle under the lift's weight. The lift then tipped and crashed into a nearby apartment building.


Vt. Man Killed in 1-93 Crash

October 13, Hooksett, New Hampshire - New Hampshire Police are investigating a Monday afternoon crash that claimed the life of a Vermont man. Police say at around 1:30 p.m., 41-year-old Ben Bishop of Stowe was headed northbound on Interstate 93 in Hooksett in his SUV when he crossed lanes, traveling down the median and up into the southbound lanes. A tractor-trailer tried to avoid Bishop's car, but failed. The two collided and the tractor-trailer rolled over. Bishop died at the scene. The driver of the tractor-trailer suffered non life-threatening injuries. Police aren't sure if alcohol or drugs were a factor but say speed doesn't appear to be the cause of the crash. Southbound lanes of I-93 were closed for nearly five hours and traffic was rerouted.


Worker dies in crash on mine land

October 9, Knoxville, Tennessee - A man died today when his coal truck ran off a mountain road in the state's first fatal accident on mining property in nearly five years, authorities said. Darrell T. Seiber, 48, of Petros was driving south on Red Oak Mountain Road in Anderson County around 8:45 a.m. at a speed too fast for the road's conditions, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Seiber started to slow down his 1982 Mack truck but went into a slide, Trooper Michael Heatherly wrote in a report. The truck ran off the road, hit a tree and landed on its side, Heatherly wrote.


Worker dies after calling 911 about his own shooting at Southside office park

October 11, Jacksonville, Florida - A worker died on Saturday afternoon after he called 911 from his cell phone to report he had just been shot at an office complex on the Southside. About 12:30 p.m., the man in his 40s, who hasn’t been named, was alone cleaning up construction debris from a newly built office building at 6960 Bonneval Road, just off of Interstate 95 and Butler Boulevard. He was standing in the doorway when he was shot, said Sgt. Larry Schmitt, of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s homicide unThe man called 911 to report the shooting but lost consciousness while on the phone. He was transported to a local hospital where he died.


Worker dies in press box at Dodger Stadium

October 5, Los Angeles, California — A worker has died in the press box at Dodger Stadium. Team spokesman Josh Rawitch said the man died of apparent natural causes Tuesday, a day before the start of the NL playoff series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers. Rawitch said the man was not a Dodgers employee, but could not provide further details.


Oak Park Hospital Worker Collapses, Dies

October 5, Oak Park, Illinois ― A hospital employee was pronounced dead Sunday afternoon after collapsing at work in west suburban Oak Park, authorities said. Jerry Cash, 52, of 4006 W. Jackson Blvd. in Chicago, was pronounced dead at Rush Oak Park Hospital at 4:30 p.m. after he collapsed at work at 520 S. Maple Ave., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office. Rush Oak Park Hospital spokeswoman Angie Spino confirmed Cash was an employee and was involved in the environmental services of the hospital.


Worker fatally falls on tugboat in Houston Ship Channel

October 9, Houston, Texas - A worker fell to his death on a boat docked at the Houston Ship Channel on Thursday night. The Harris County Sheriff's Office, which is investigating the case, said it was an accidental death. The accident occurred about 10:15 p.m. in the 6000 block of Lakeside Drive in the Channelview area. The 54-year-old man was working on the tug when he climbed ladders to an upper deck, but moments later a co-worker found him on the lower deck, where he had fallen.


Worker at plant crushed to death

October 9, Springfield, Missouri - Springfield police on Thursday were investigating an industrial accident in which an Ozark man was crushed in a molding press. Tobby Hall, 31, was apparently in the machine at Springfield's Buckhorn LLC plant, 2727 N. Partnership Blvd., shortly before 10:30 p.m. Wednesday when the machine was activated. Lt. Kirk Manlove said Thursday that Hall and another man were operating the machine, which had been malfunctioning.


Worker Killed, Bystanders Injured in Center City Crane Collapse

October 13, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - A construction worker was killed and several other people were hurt at about 1:30 on Monday afternoon when a construction "boom lift" toppled over at 21st and Walnut Streets in center city Philadelphia. KYW's Pat Loeb and Tony Hanson report that police say a 40-year-old man who was operating the lift from its cherry-picker basket fell 125 feet to the ground as the crane fell over, and was seriously injured. He was declared dead a short time later. The crane and/or falling debris also struck a 70-year-old woman in a passing car, breaking her arm. She was reported in stable condition at Hahnemann Hospital.


Worker Killed in Broad Daylight on Southside

October 11, Jacksonville, Tennessee - Jacksonville Police say 56 year-old Clifford Backmann of Green Cove Springs was cleaning up at a newly constructed building on Bonneval Road, near JTB, when he was shot Saturday afternoon. Backmann called 911 after he was shot and apparently lost consciousness as he was speaking with the dispatcher. We've not learned of any arrests in this deadly shooting and police have not said what motivated the person to kill.


Construction Worker Killed In Steamboat Springs

October 10, Steamboat Springs, Colorado ― A construction worker killed in an accident near the Steamboat Ski Area likely died of head trauma. Routt County Coroner Rob Ryg says that 29-year-old Brady Meier of Hayden died Friday morning. He was hit with a fitting from a pressurized water line, and initial indications are that he died of head trauma. An autopsy is planned. Meier was working on a public project to replace a sewer line and prepare for the installation of a Burgess Creek diversion structure. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration is investigating.

Man dies from injuries sustained from SUV falling on him

October 8, Lynnwood, Washington - A 31-year-old Monroe man died Thursday when a large SUV fell on him at a Lynnwood junkyard and auto parts outlet. Emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene, Best Auto & Truck Parts at 18100 Highway 99, at about 10:15 a.m. The man was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle in critical condition, but passed away just after 6 p.m. Investigators determined that the man, a regular customer of the store, was working on a large SUV when it collapsed on top of him, said Shannon Sessions of the Lynnwood Police Department.


Farmer Killed by Lightning Strike

October 8, Lebanon, Missouri - A farmer who was checking on his cattle this morning as heavy thunderstorms moved through, was struck and killed by lightning, the Laclede County Emergency Management office confirmed today. Office director Jonathan Ayres says the death happened near Phillipsburg around 9:30 this morning. The farmer, whose name and age has not been released yet, was found by family members about 11:00 this morning.


Toppled crane killed worker on Smith Mountain Lake

October 7, Roanoke, Virginia — A construction worker was killed after a crane fell into the Smith Mountain Lake. The construction accident happened on Monday morning, October 5, 2009 around 11:30 a.m., in the Blackwater area of the lake, as reported by the Roanoke Times. Officials with Franklin County’s Department of Public Safety reported, a construction worker identified as Roger Dale Goad, 55, of Henry, was operating a crane while dismantling a private Smith Mountain Lake dock when the accident occurred. The 18,000-20,000 pound crane somehow slipped off the barge that was supporting it above the water, and fell nearly 70 feet into the lake. It took Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire Rescue Department and rescue teams nearly two hours to recover Goad’s body from the sunken crane. Unfortunately, Goad did not survive the accident.


Highway worker killed in NE Ind. hit-and-run

October 7, St. Joe, Indiana - Police say a pickup truck fatally struck a highway worker in northeastern Indiana, with the driver then fleeing the scene. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department says 22-year-old Andrew Landes of Indianapolis was killed in the crash Monday on Indiana 1 near the town of St. Joe. The employee for Indianapolis-based Butler, Fairman & Seufert Civil Engineers was measuring the roadway for painting when he was hit and killed instantly. Police say a witness described the vehicle that hit Landes as a tan pickup truck and that it will likely have right front-end damage. Officers were not immediately able to find the truck despite a search of the area about 15 miles north of Fort Wayne.


New Employee Shot, Killed on the Job

October 7, Houston, Texas - A man on his second day at a new job was fatally shot as he worked in front of a northeast Houston business. Houston Police say it was around 7 p.m. Tuesday when the worker at a machine shop on Corpus Christie at Boyles was shot in a drive-by. Witnesses told police the suspect was a Hispanic male driving a charcoal grey sedan. Investigators do not have a motive for the shooting.


Pages Creek Marine employee dies when boat falls on him

October 7, Wilmington, North Carolina - A 25-year-old Wilmington man was killed Wednesday in a workplace accident when a boat which the victim was aligning with a trailer fell on him, officials said. The accident occurred at 5:10 p.m. at Pages Creek Marine, which is located at 7000 Market St., according to a statement from Deputy Charles Smith, spokesman for the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office. After the boat fell, Ryan Lee Church was trapped between the vessel and a trailer. Employees tried to help him, but after EMS workers arrived Church was pronounced dead.

Weekly Toll: Death in the American Workplace

Business owner dies after being pinned under roll of carpet

October 6, Mesa, Arizona -A Valley business owner is dead after being crushed by a 1,000-pound roll of carpet. Jerry Price, 56, was the co-owner of Ace Flooring in Mesa. His business partner arrived at work Tuesday morning and found Pierce pinned under the fallen roll of carpet. His partner used a forklift to remove the carpet, but Pierce was already dead. Outside Ace Flooring friends held back tears as they told 3TV about the wonderful man they have lost.


Employee collapses,dies at Rush Oak Park Hospital

October 5, Chicago, Illinois - A hospital employee was pronounced dead Sunday afternoon after collapsing at work in Oak Park, authorities said. Jerry Cash, 52, of 4006 W. Jackson Blvd. in Chicago, was pronounced dead at Rush Oak Park Hospital at 4:30 p.m. after he collapsed at work at 520 S. Maple Ave., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office. He was a hospital employee. No one witnessed the collapse.


Tree Worker Killed

October 5, Millburn, New York - A 45-year-old man fell to his death last Tuesday while cutting tree limbs at a Taylor Road home in Millburn. Elides Urena of Bound Brook fell from about 50 feet, according to the Millburn Police Department. Officers responded to a 911 call at 10:50 a.m., and C.P.R. was performed. Mr. Urena was taken to Saint Barnabas Medical Center and pronounced dead at 11:35 a.m. The cause of the fall has not been determined.


Worker killed in drilling accident in W.Va.

October 5, Salem, West Virginia - Authorities are investigating a fatal accident at a natural gas drilling operation in Harrison County. The Harrison County Sheriff's Department says a 20-year-old worker was killed Sunday while working on a drilling rig. The man was operating a piece of equipment when it released or broke away and swung him back against the rig. The man died at the scene. He was not identified.


Employee Shot, Killed At DeKalb Auto Repair Shop

October 5, Dekalb County, Georgia -- DeKalb County police said they are trying to piece together what led up to the shooting death of a auto shop employee in front of the business Monday afternoon. Officials said 46-year-old George Thrones was shot and killed. DeKalb County police identified the suspect in the killing as 41-year-old Troy Johnson. Investigators said the shooting happened while other employees were in the building of the European Autocare Center on LaVista Road in Tucker.


Jackson mechanic killed in work accident

October 4, Jackson, Mississippi - A Jackson man died after being injured Saturday night on the job. Hyreese Loftin, 26, died at University of Mississippi Medical Center around 12:15 a.m. Sunday after being transported from the Petro truck stop on I-20 in Jackson, Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham-Stewart said. Loftin, a mechanic at the truck stop, was working on an 18-wheeler late Saturday when compression equipment exploded and hit him in the head, Grisham-Stewart said. He died of head injuries less than an hour after being transported to UMC.


Man held in blaze that killed firefighter

October 3, Yonkers, New York — A recently fired forklift operator has been charged with murder in the arson death of Yonkers firefighter Patrick Joyce Jr. Police said Rafael Roldan, 33, broke into a house from which he had been evicted and set Friday’s blaze, in which Joyce died. Roldan lit the fire in anger after he returned to retrieve some belongings and thought that his clothes had been tossed around, police said. “We do believe he is fully responsible for setting the fire at that location,” First Deputy Police Chief Charles Gardner said during a news conference Saturday. “He did implicate himself in the crime.” Joyce, a 39-year-old firefighter and 16-year-veteran of the department, either jumped or fell from the top floor of the burning three-story, four-family home at 149 Waverly St., along with two other firefighters who remain hospitalized — one, Lt. Joe Murray, critically.


Texas Deputy Dies En Route to Accident

October 3, Beltsville, Maryland - A Burnet County Deputy was killed early Saturday after hitting a deer while responding to a crash scene, according to KXAN.com. Deputy Francis David Blake was responding to a major accident with injuries at about 1 a.m. when he struck the deer. He then lost control of his vehicle and struck a tree, the website reported. Blake, 42, was pronounced dead at the scene. He is survived by his wife and four children.


Two killed, one injured in Market Street Bridge crash

October 3, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - A cab driver and one of his passengers were killed and another passenger was injured early Saturday in a two-vehicle crash on the Market Street Bridge. Michael Amissah, 34, of Harrisburg, the taxi driver, and Kristin Bowser, 28, of Camp Hill, one of the passengers, were killed around 2:30 a.m. Saturday after a vehicle crossed into the cab’s lane and hit it head-on, Dauphin County Coroner Graham Hetrick said. He said that autopsies are scheduled on both on Monday.Christopher Bowser, Kristin Bowser’s husband, was taken to Penn State Hershey Medical Center, where he was listed in fair condition on Sunday afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman said.


Construction Worker Dies from Fall on the Job

October 2, New York City, New York - Police Lt. Charles Campbell confirmed yesterday that Frank Puglisi, 66, died Sunday from injuries suffered in a fall last Friday at a Hoboken construction site. Frank Puglisi, of Lodi, was rushed to Jersey City Medical Center on Friday after a he fell backward off a loading dock platform while working at the construction site for the Berkshire, a 14-story rental building at 14th Street and Shipyard Lane, according to Police Lt. Charles Campbell. Although Puglisi fell only a few feet, he suffered serious head trauma. Campbell noted that it remains unclear how or why Puglisi may have fallen


Semi Rollover Kills Driver in Pueblo Industrial Accident

October 1, Pueblo, Colorado - An industrial accident left the driver of a semi dead after it rolled over on Wantland Lane in South Pueblo County Wednesday. The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office responded to a call of an overturned semi truck pulling a doublewide trailer in the 4700 block of Wantland Lane in South Pueblo County around 8:20 a.m. The driver of the vehicle, whose identity was not released, was pinned in the vehicle. Upon arrival deputies realized the accident scene was extremely unstable due to the terrain and the angle of the vehicle and trailer. The efforts to make the scene safe for emergency services personnel and workers took nearly four hours with a combined effort from the Rye Fire District, Colorado Department of Transportation and Pueblo County Roads and Bridges.


Taxi driver dies in Covina store parking lot

October 1, West Covina, California - A taxi driver was pronounced dead after being found unconscious in his cab Tuesday, authorities said. The dead man was identified Wednesday as 63-year-old Gholamreza Mohammadkani of Covina, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Lt. Larry Dietz said. An autopsy determined he died from natural causes, Dietz said. According to Covina police Sgt. Trevor Gaumer, someone called officials to report seeing the man "unresponsive" in his taxi shortly before 6:20 a.m. in the parking lot of 7-Eleven, 1085 N. Citrus Ave.


Texas personal injury - FedEx truck hit and killed ISD employee

October 1, Houston, Texas — A Federal Express truck hit and killed a Lamar Consolidated Independent School District employee at the school district’s bus barn. The fatal accident happened on Monday, September 28, 2009 around 1:30 p.m., at the Lamar Consolidated ISD bus barn along Avenue I, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. According to police officials, a Federal Express (FedEx) truck had just finished making a delivery at the bus barn when a Lamar Consolidated ISD employee, identified as Robert Judd Whitman, 61, of Fulshear, happened to be standing in the “blind spot” of the FedEx truck.


Grady County employee struck and killed by train identified

October 1, Pocasset, Oklahoma — A Grady County worker who died Wednesday when his mowing tractor was struck by a train was identified today. Dale Mosier, 76, of Amber, had worked for the Grady County District One maintenance barn since April 2008. He was retired from a career as a civilian employee at Tinker Air Force Base, said Sharon Shoemake, Grady County clerk. Mosier worked part-time mowing county road right-of-ways with a tractor that pulled a mower. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported the accident happened at 10:24 a.m. Wednesday near U.S. 81 south of Pocasset.


Worker dies in fall from McKees Rocks Bridge

October, 1, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - A 54-year-old Ohio man fell to his death while he was working on the McKees Rocks Bridge by Pier 16 at Alcosan, police said. A sandblasting crew was working under a gray tarp on the bridge when a staging platform the man was standing on gave way, causing him to fall 100 feet shortly after 2 p.m. The man, Michael L???Hereaux, Oberlin, Ohio, was contracting with Odyssey Contracting Corporation, based in Houston, Pa.


Police Release Name Man Killed In Industrial Accident

September 30, Oxford, Michigan - The Oakland County Sheriff's department has released the name of the man involved in an industrial accident in Oxford Wednesday morning. Gerald Setter, 52, was hit by a gravel hauler in a parking lot on Glaspie Road around 4:45 a.m. Police said his coworker at TKMS Limited was driving the gravel hauler that hit Setter as he was backing into a parking lot. Setter was pronounced dead at the scene.


Nevada mine blamed for worker's death

September 30, Las Vegas, Nevada - A federal investigation blamed a Nevada gold mine in the death of a 57-year-old driller who was struck by a flatbed truck. Steven L. Halverson was fatally injured last June at the open-pit Genesis Mine in Carlin, Nev. In a report issued late Tuesday, the Mine Safety and Health Administration said Newmont USA Ltd. failed to designate safety lanes for trucks working inside the pit. Managers adopted new procedures to correct that violation.


Texas construction accident - Worker killed at International Paper mill

October 1, Dallas, TX — A construction worker was killed a the International Paper Company’s Mansfield Mill after he fell into a water tank filled with hot water. The fatal incident happened on Monday, September 28, 2009 around 12:30 p.m., south of Mansfield in Desoto Parish, as reported by the Shreveport Times. According to police officials, a contract worker identified as Toby Lynn Gardner, 35, of Castor, was working from a catwalk on a valve above a tank, when he fell into a linerboard white water tank. The white water tank is three stories tall, and holds recycled water used in the paper making process, which is around 150-200 degrees. The tank was reportedly not completely full when the worker fell in.


Birdsong Peanuts worker dies Monday following accident

September 30, Blakely, Georgia - A cold storage worker at Birdsong Peanuts has died from injuries he received in an accident at approximately 2 p.m. Monday afternoon at the company’s cold storage warehouse on Bay Street in Blakely. Howard Thompson, 23, suffered critical injuries when he was reportedly caught in a conveyor belt. He was transported by ambulance to Early Memorial Hospital where he was treated for his injuries before being air lifted by helicopter to Southeast Alabama Medical Center. He was later transferred to a Birmingham hospital where he died Monday night. In a statement released Tuesday the company stated, “We were saddened to learn this morning that Howard Thompson died from injuries he sustained while working at Birdsong Peanuts’ cold storage facility in Blakely. He was a good worker and will be missed. Our hearts and prayers go out to Howard’s family.


Moped rider dies after Duke crash

September 30, Raleigh, North Carolina - A Duke University worker involved in a campus moped accident over the weekend has died.Saber Benson, 26, was critically injured Saturday night when he struck an iron gate on Union Drive while operating a moped. He subsequently died, Duke officials said Tuesday. Police are trying to determine whether Benson was trying to get through the gate as it was closing, according to Aaron Graves, associate vice president for campus safety and security. Benson ofChapel Hill was a contract worker at The Loop, a campus restaurant.


Birdsong Peanuts worker dies Monday following accident

September 30, Blakely, Georgia - A cold storage worker at Birdsong Peanuts has died from injuries he received in an accident at approximately 2 p.m. Monday afternoon at the company’s cold storage warehouse on Bay Street in Blakely.


Escondido man dies in landfill accident

September 30, Miramar, California – A 38-year-old Escondido man was killed Tuesday at the Miramar Landfill when he was trapped under the bin of the dump truck he had been driving, authorities said. About 11 a.m., the man finished dumping a load of an unknown type of garbage when he apparently drove away and noticed the bin of the Dodge 3500 was still in the up position, said Jose Ysea, a public information officer with the San Diego's Environmental Services Department. Authorities believe he may have crawled in the space between the cab and the bin to fix the problem when the bin fell and pinned him to the chassis, authorities said.


Breaking News: A Grady County worker was killed when struck by a northbound train

September 30, Grady County, Oklahoma - A Grady County worker was killed Wednesday morning when the tractor he was driving was struck by a northbound train. The victim, an Amber resident, was mowing on Cardinal Road (CR 1260) near the railroad track which parallels Hwy. 81 in Pocasset. The train struck the tractor with enough force to separate it from the mower attachment it was pulling, throwing the tractor east of the railroad track and the mower attachment west of the track.


Orem man killed in Eagle Mountain accident

September 29, Eagle Mountain, Utah — A construction worker died Monday when he was crushed in an industrial accident.Joshua Parks, 23, of Orem, was working on a sewage plant in Eagle Mountain and was driving a roller compactor over a large mound of dirt when he tipped over, said Utah County Sheriff's Lt. Mike Brower. He worked for Nelson Brothers Construction. Another construction worker at the plant had seen smoke from where Parks was working. He tried to get the roller off of Parks and called 911, Brower said. A medical helicopter was called but then canceled because medical responders said Parks died almost immediately.


Truck driver killed in wreck on I-30

September 30, Morris county, Texas - A truck driver was killed and two others were injured early Tuesday when one 18-wheeler was rear-ended by another on Interstate 30 in Morris County. The accident happened about 7 a.m. Tuesday in the westbound lane of Interstate 30 just west of the Bowie County line. Troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety said one 18-wheeler had just pulled onto the interstate from a rest area when the collision occurred.

WHO'S NEXT? Five years after the deaths of 17 BP employees, BP has yet to improve on safety!

With all the bad news that surrounds me on a daily basis one could easily question why I cannot seem to build up some sort of immunity to the stories that bother me the most as many feel I should be used to it by now. As if it were even a possibility. I'll never get used to it and anyone who believes they could is either full of shit or completely naive. Once you're affected, you're affected and every
death from that point on affects you. And while many would say that making a conscious decision to purposely surround yourself with familiar tragedies after surviving your own, is the self destructive behavior of
someone who can't let go of their pain.

Yet the sad fact is avoidance of knowledge and the decision to let it go, and or do nothing, to prevent history from repeating itself would in fact be harder by far to live with. And so I try every day to do my best to make a difference without giving in to the anger that always surfaces when I come across a story like this one.

"BP asks for more time to make plant improvements"

Go read it and then think about how the families of Raymundo C. Gonzalez, Jr. and Leonard Maurice Moore, Jr., who were killed back in 2004, must feel about BP asking for more time. And how about the families of the other 15 BP employees killed in an explosion just 6 months later in 2005. What about them? Doesn't the media believe the family members might have something to say about BP's request for more time - aside from the five years they have already had to correct the issues that cost 17 people their lives? Can this really be a case of the media not giving a shit about doing the job they are meant to do.... at least in such a manner that the public has a shot at understanding the problem for what it is and not what BP wants them to see.

For example, the most someone out of the loop will take away from a story entitled "BP asks for more time to make plant improvements" is 'so what'! BP needs improvements or here's a story I wont bother to read BOO HOO BP. Who could blame the public for a lack of concern for BP and their problems. (not to mention that safety and improvements are two different things)

But I assure you the same story with a different title and a different angle would draw a far different reaction from the public. How about "WHO'S NEXT? Five years after the deaths of 17 BP employees, BP has yet to improve on safety! Families outraged by BP's failure to prevent history from repeating itself".

Now that's a factual headline. One that would put BP back in the hot seat where it belongs as well as stirring up enough public outrage to perhaps make BP rethink its blatant disregard of workplace safety.

In the words of one family member...
"How frustrating it is to be collecting news articles yet again. I thought I was done after the trail and record fines. I am both frustrated and heartbroken by this."

There is nothing I wouldn't do to assure these families never had to feel this way again. And my thoughts and prayers are with each and every last one of them.