Saturday, February 27, 2016

This is February's Toll on the families and the workforce our thoughts and prayer are with them all. 

We will no longer be updating this blog but you will be able to find the same information on our USMWF Facebook Page and soon your open data base that will provide all the data we have on a lost love.  I will post the link to the data soon so check back.

Maintenance worker dies when elevator cab crushes him at UAMS 

2/24/2016 - Little Rock, AR - A man died Wednesday after an elevator cab crushed him at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn said Brent Hutchins, 32, was performing routine maintenance on an elevator in the hospital's Central Building when the cab came down and struck him. The accident is being investigated by his employer, Shindler Elevators & Escalators, as well as the Department of Labor. Rahn notes that all elevators at UAMS are "safe, licensed, and routinely inspected." He said, "This is a tragedy and I ask that you please keep Brent’s family and his co-workers in your thoughts and prayers."

Kansas shooting: Gunman kills 3, wounds 14 at lawn care company 

2/26/2016 - Hesston, KS - A gunman killed three people in shootings that ended at a lawn care company in Kansas on Thursday, authorities said. An additional 14 people were injured -- 10 of whom are in critical condition at local hospitals. The shooter was also killed by police, bringing the total number of fatalities to four. Authorities first got calls about a man shooting from a vehicle in Newton about 5 p.m., the Harvey County Sheriff's Office said. Minutes later, there were reports of a shooting at Excel Industries, which makes lawn care equipment in Hesston, Kansas.

 Fargo Police Officer Killed on Duty Remembered as Quiet Hero

2/10/2016 - Fargo, ND - The first Fargo police officer killed in the line of duty in 130 years was remembered Monday as a life saver who was a quiet hero and a mentor to others in law enforcement. Hundreds of officers from several states and Canada formed caravans into the city in the morning and then led a 21-mile procession after the funeral for Jason Moszer, 33, who was shot while responding to a domestic disturbance on Feb. 10. Moszer leaves behind a wife and three children. Fargo Police Chief David Todd told thousands of mourners during the service at Scheels Arena that Moszer was a "cop's cop" who was committed to helping others. "The night Jason was mortally wounded was another example of his bravery and service to our community," Todd said. "He was responding to help victims of domestic violence and protecting area residents from a dangerous person set on harming others. Jason gave the ultimate sacrifice of his life in that mission of helping others and protecting the community that he has sworn to protect."

FHP: Construction worker killed by dump truck on I-4 

2/24/2016 - Maitland, FL - A 34-year-old construction worker on Interstate 4 was fatally run over by a dump truck filled with dirt on Wednesday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The male victim, who has been identified as Marvin Franklin, was killed about 11:30 a.m. on the eastbound side of I-4 between Lee Road and Maitland Boulevard, said Sgt. Kim Montes, spokeswoman for FHP. Franklin worked for SGL Constructors in Maitland, the lead contractor in the highway's multibillion-dollar makeover. He died in a work area after the dump truck, which was making a delivery, backed up and ran him over, Montes said. Franklin was standing behind the truck when it had previously been stopped. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of a SGL Constructors employee," a spokesman for the company said in a statement. "Our focus now is to ensure we support individuals and families as they deal with this tragic event." FHP identified the dump truck driver as 49-year-old Riomar Morales of Orlando.

Dairy worker killed in industrial accident, police say 

2/23/2016 -  Hyrum, UT - A dairy worker died Tuesday evening in an industrial accident, police said. A 30-year-old man at Rosehill Dairy was operating a tractor when he got caught in the vehicle's equipment while dismounting, Cache County Sheriff Chad Jensen said. The man suffered traumatic injuries to his torso and legs, and died at the scene. He was an employee of Rosehill Dairy, 315 E. 6600 South. The incident occurred around 5:40 p.m., according to Jensen. He said the tractor was pulling another piece of farming equipment at the time. The man's name wasn't released Tuesday night, pending notification of family members. He was a resident of Cache County, Jensen said. The state medical examiner was called to investigate the death. "This appears to be a tragic, tragic accident," Jensen said. "Probably the hardest part of the job is (giving) a notification to a family member that they've lost a loved one in such a tragic way. … This is just devastating for any family member that has to go through something like this. We feel for the family and wish them the best."

Construction worker crushed to death by own van in Central Park 

2/22/2016 - Union, NJ - A construction worker was killed in Central Park on Monday when he was crushed by his own van, officials said. Manuel Sobral, 56, of Union, NJ, was working near the park’s Loeb Boathouse when a metal fence got stuck under his white Ford van at about 6:30 a.m. as he drove down a narrow path, sources said.Sobral opened his door and attempted to step on the fence with one foot while applying pressure to the gas with the van in reverse, hoping to free the fence and keep moving, sources said. But he fell under the vehicle, where he was crushed by one of its front tires, police sources said. The van was eventually stopped by a rock, but Sobral was left pinned underneath, sources said. He was eventually discovered by his boss, who immediately called 911.

Montague man ID'd in fatal construction accident in Hanover

2/21/2016 - Montague, NJ - Joseph P. Donahue Jr. has been identified as one of the two men killed in a construction accident in Hanover on Thursday.Donahue, 25, and another man -- who is also believed to be a resident of Sussex County -- died when a 10,000-pound generator fell. The two men were working on a construction site for a new Whippany fire station. A crane was moving the massive generator when a strap broke and the heavy equipment fell several feet. Donahue was pronounced dead at the scene. The second man was taken to Morristown Medical Center, where he died later that evening. A 2009 graduate of High Point Regional High School, Donahue both wrestled and played football. He married his high school sweetheart, Nicole, in 2014. Donahue was also an avid outdoorsman; he belonged to the National Rifle Association, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation and the Appalachian Bowman. Donahue had been an arborist in the family business, McCullough Tree Experts. It is unknown who Donahue was employed by or what his role was at the construction site.

Man Crushed to Death by Steel Tube 

02/19/2016 - West Jordan, Utah - An employee at SME Steel Contractors was crushed to death by a steel tube after a work accident Friday morning. It happened just after 6:30 a.m. at 5801 W Wells Park Rd. (9500 South). Officer Scott List with West Jordan Police Department said the 37-year-old was cutting a steel tube in half when part of it fell off and crushed him. "The tube was about 30-40 ft wide and 10 ft long....thousands of pounds. Unfortunately he is deceased," Officer List said. He has since been identified as Alfonso David-Grajeda. It is unclear at this time what safety procedures were missed in this tragedy.

Two Workers Struck by Car, Driver and One Worker Killed Near Robbins

2/18/2016 - Robbins, NC - Two men died following an accident on Thursday morning after a car struck a wood chipper where two men were working, according to Robbins Police Chief Jeffery Sheffield. Tony Wood, 50, of Hamptonville, N.C., died at the scene on Plank Road just outside Robbins, Sheffield said. Another worker at the site, Ronnie James, of Advance, N.C., was not injured. The driver of the car, Larry Phillips, 75, of Robbins, was taken by helicopter to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill and died of his injuries early Friday morning. Sheffield said Wood and James were in the process of putting signs on Plank Road to designate it as a work zone when Phillips’ car struck the chipper. The two men were working for Vegetation Management Specialists Inc., a company hired by the N.C. Department of Transportation to cut down trees. Plank Road was closed for two and a half hours, according to Sheffield.

Cooking was 'passion' of pizzeria owner killed in storefront crash 

2/20/2016 - Chicago, IL - On any other Friday around noon, the activity at Acuna Pizza in Roselle would have centered on feeding lunch to hungry customers. But this week it was supplanted by the somber work of picking through the wrecked restaurant whose owner died of injuries suffered Wednesday when a van crashed into the storefront. Custodio "Gus" Acuna, 53, was inside his restaurant about 3 p.m. when the crash occurred, Roselle police said. A Ford Econoline ran off westbound Irving Park Road, hit a traffic light at the Lawrence Avenue intersection and went through a parking lot before plowing into the small restaurant, which is in a strip mall, police said. Acuna was taken to Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village, where he later died of his injuries, police said. The van's driver may have suffered a medical emergency, said police, who are still investigating the crash.

Warehouse worker struck, killed by truck

2/17/2016 - Norton, MA - A man was killed in a pedestrian crash in Norton Wednesday, authorities said. Authorities confirmed that a delivery truck hit Michael Hassett, 63, in the rear parking lot of Bernie & Phyl's Furniture warehouse at 308 East Main Street. Authorities said the crash took place around 1 p.m. A press release noted that the truck was owned by Northeast Home Delivery Service, a subcontractor that delivers furniture for Bernie & Phyl's. Hassett, who hailed from Foxboro, was pronounced dead at the scene. NBC 10 News affiliate WHDH reported that Hassett was killed when he bent over to do something and then was apparently hit as he was crouching down.

 Warrensburg worker killed when struck by machine

2/16/2016 - Warrensburg, MO - A maintenance worker at Stahl Specialty Company in Warrensburg died Monday after an accident on the job, and now the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Kansas City Office is  investigating. Initial reports indicate the worker was troubleshooting a machine when it engaged and struck him causing fatal injuries. OSHA will investigate to determine if the machine was locked out to prevent operation at the time of the injury. “We offer our condolences to the family on this tragic, preventable death,” said Barbara Theriot, OSHA’s Area Director in Kansas City, in a news release. “Each year hundreds of workers are injured by machinery because safety procedures are not implemented.”

Construction worker falls more than 50 feet off building

2/12/2016 - Colony, TX - A construction worker working on an under-construction Hampton Inn was taken to the hospital by air ambulance Friday after he fell more than 50 feet off of the building. According to The Colony Fire Department, they were called to the 3600 block of Plano Parkway off of Highway 121 at 11:20 a.m. after the man fell 56 feet from the construction site at the Grandscape development. The injured worker was rushed to Medical Center of Plano by CareFlite air ambulance, which landed behind the nearby Nebraska Furniture Mart warehouse. The man's condition is unclear at this time. We'll have more on this story as it develops.

19-year-old killed after trench caves in on construction workers in Cypress 

2/13/2016 - Cypress, Texas - A 19-year-old man was killed Saturday after a trench collapsed on workers at a construction site, according to the Cy-Fair Fire Department. The incident happened at the corner of Mueschke road and Towering Cypress around 2 p.m. Officials said the crew was digging for a sewer system when the ground shifted and the trench caved in. The man's coworkers tried to save him but by the time firefighters arrived on the scene it was too late. The victim was apparently employed by a contractor called Principal Services Limited. The man's brother came to the scene and had to be detained briefly after he tried to rush into the trench. Investigators are working to determine what caused the accident.

 Michigan road worker killed after being struck by semi while placing signs 

A Michigan road worker was killed and another was injured this week after they were struck and killed by a semi-truck in Wexford County. WPBN/WGTU reported that Sean Jordan was outside of his parked utility truck finishing up installing a highway sign on U.S. Highway 131 with his coworker Daniel Moomwa at around 5 p.m. when the crash happened. A semi-truck was exiting the highway and crossed the white fog line into the work area and hit the utility truck and a large highway arrow trailer sign. Holly died at the scene of the crash and Moomwa was taken to a nearby hospital before being flown by air ambulance to another. According to MLive, the two men struck by the semi were contract workers placing signs along the side of U.S. 131. The driver of the semi, Scott McCant, was arrested by police and charged with reckless driving causing a death.

Coroner: Mechanic death in sand mixer at Quarryville foundry was accident 

2/12/2016 - Lancaster, PA - Fred Poston Jr. died from multiple traumatic injuries and his death was ruled accidental after an autopsy on Feb. 11, Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni said Feb. 12.Authorities have identified the man who was working inside a molding machine at a Quarryville foundry Monday when it somehow turned on and fatally injured him. Fred Poston Jr., of Washington Boro, was doing maintenance work inside a sand mixer at the Buck Company at 897 Lancaster Pike in Providence Township at 1:21 p.m., according to county Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni. “It activated or turned on while he was within the mixer,” Diamantoni said. “We are still sorting out the specifics (of how it happened.) There is no indication of foul play. It appears by all accounts to be accidental.” Diamontoni described Poston as being in his “mid-50s.” Poston’s leg was caught inside a molding machine, Rawlinsville Fire Chief Carl Strickler Jr. said. A Lancaster EMS medic unit stationed at the foundry responded immediately and provided advanced life support care, Lancaster EMS’s Bob May said. State police assisted, but provided no details of the incident Tuesday. Firefighters freed Poston from the equipment at 1:34 p.m., Strickler said. May said Poston was transported to Lancaster General Hospital, but died. An autopsy initially set for Wednesday was rescheduled.

EMT technician killed, another injured after ambulance falls off hydraulic lift on west bank

Jefferson Parish, LA - An EMT technician died and one other technician was injured after an ambulance fell off of hydraulic automotive lift, according to a Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman. The incident occurred Wednesday around 5:32 p.m. in the 1200 block of Avenue C near West Jefferson Hospital in Marrero. Police say that an EMT mechanic and two EMT technicians were performing work on the elevated ambulance when the equipment failed causing the rack and vehicle to fall onto the one of the two technicians, pinning him down. The unidentified 44-year-old technician was freed and rushed to West Jefferson Medical Center where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. "Well to be honest with you, there was a lot of emotion, as you can well imagine, with the number of EMT technicians that were present," said JPSO spokesman Col. John Fortunato. "Whether they were going to work, coming to work, once they received word that one of their coworkers was involved in this accident and needless to say was killed, they became very very emotional and very upset as you can imagine." The other technician, identified as a 37-year-old man, received minor injuries and was treated at West Jefferson Medical Center. The 34-year-old mechanic, was not hurt.

Worker Killed In Accident With Big Rig At Port Everglades

2/10/2016 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - An employee at one of Port Everglades terminals was killed Wednesday in an accident with a semi-trailer truck. “One of the employees, this afternoon, was leaving work as the tractor was coming into the yard – and he struck the pedestrian,” said Broward Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Keyla Concepcion. Chopper4 was over the scene just after the accident. The incident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. right near the facility’s guard shack. Fire fighters did their best, but the victim, a Sun Terminal employee, was pronounced dead on the scene.Sun Terminal is a shipping company located in the middle of the sprawling Port Everglades complex. The truck, police said, is owned by Martainer Inc. – a trucking company with five employees based in Miami. “Our T.H.I. (traffic homicide investigators) are here conducting an investigation. The medical examiner’s office is here,” said Concepcion. Authorities are not identifying of the victim until next of kin has been notified.

  Family Dollar Employee Killed In Shooting Identified 

2/10/2016 - Mobile, AL - Mobile Police have identified 40-year-old Gerald Westry as the victim in Tuesday night’s homicide at the Family Dollar on Springhill Avenue near Ann Street. Westry was working his managerial shift when he was shot and killed. Mobile Police Chief James Barber said they haven’t ruled out attempted robbery as a motive yet, but haven’t labeled it as one either. “We’re still trying to piece together what the motive was. He was an employee inside at work in the store when he was shot. But, there was no cash or register taken from the store,” Barber said. Employees who work at Greer’s Cash Saver next door recall the terrifying moments that happened just before 7 p.m. “I was standing in the office, and a guy comes running through the door that works for the Family Dollar and asks where our security guard was. He said it numerous times and then said ‘call the police! We’ve just been robbed,’ the employee, who didn’t want to be identified, recalled. “I was on the phone with the police department and a couple of customers who had been inside the Family Dollar were standing outside and said they heard gunshots, 4 or 5 gunshots. It’s tragic. We’re real shaken up,” he continued.

Construction worker struck by falling concrete in Midtown

2/7/2016 - Midtown, NY - A construction worker was severely injured in Midtown Saturday afternoon when a chunk of concrete fell on his head. The worker was on the 20th floor of 317 Madison Avenue near East 42nd Street, a building currently being demolished, when the heavy block struck him, according to a fire department spokesman. Firefighters lowered the worker to the ground, and EMS rushed him to Bellevue Hospital, where he is in critical condition with a severe head injury.

Feds Investigating Death at Union Plant

2/6/2016 - MO - A federal labor agency is investigating the death of a man that occurred while he was working at a Union industry. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is looking into the death of a 49-year-old maintenance worker at Gateway Extrusions Ltd., who died from injuries received when he fell about 15 feet onto a concrete floor. He fell Jan. 23 while installing a steel reinforcement sheet to the top of an oven at the company’s facility in Union.The man died Tuesday, Feb. 2. His name has not been released.The business is located at 704 W. Park Road.“Falls are easily preventable, and there is no reason anyone should lose their life in the performance of their duties,” said Bill McDonald, OSHA’s area director in St. Louis. “OSHA will continue its investigation into the working conditions at the site to ensure all proper safety protocols, such as the use of adequate fall protection, were in place at the time of the injury.”

Seneca Meadows Landfill employee killed in on-site accident

2/6/2016 - Seneca Falls, NY - Police in Seneca Falls are investigating a fatal industrial accident that happened at the Seneca Meadows Landfill Saturday morning. Police say they were sent to the Salcman Rd. landfill at 10:59 a.m., and when they arrived they found that an employee, 55-year-old James L. Corter, had been struck by a tractor trailer combination driven by 44-year-old Robert S. Juliano Jr., that was in the process of unloading.The tipper machine Juliano was driving is used to unload refuse that is loaded onto trailers that are brought into the Seneca Meadows Landfill. The machine is owned by Pocono Logistics, Inc.

1 person killed in plant explosion in Georgia

2/7/2016 - Rockmart, GA - A coroner says a man has died and six others were injured in an explosion at a plant in northwest Georgia. Polk County Coroner Tony Brazier says 25-year-old Justin Deems died in the explosion that occurred at 2:37 a.m. Sunday at JCG Farms, a feed mill related to chicken farming. The plant is about 50 miles northwest of Atlanta.Brazier says one of the victims was taken to a hospital and is in critical condition. The conditions of the others are unknown. Names of the victims have not been released. Rockmart City manager Jeff Ellis told local media that the cause of the explosion is now being investigated by authorities in Polk County and the City of Rockmart along with state fire marshals. The cause of the explosion is unclear.

Update: San Bernardino County man identified as construction worker killed in Irvine

2/3/2016 - Irvine, CA - A 60-year-old man who died in a construction-related incident was identified Wednesday as Paul Nagle of Earp, a border town near Arizona. Irvine police and Orange County Fire Authority officials responded Tuesday to a commercial construction site around 8:30 a.m. at 15100 Barranca Parkway. Firefighters found Nagle dead next to a crane, Fire Authority Capt. Larry Kurtz said. “It appears that he was killed in a construction incident. It appears to be related to a crane,” said Farrah Emami, an Irvine Police Department spokeswoman who declined to elaborate. Cal/OSHA investigators from the agency’s Santa Ana office went to the construction site Tuesday, said Julia Bernstein, ‎a California Department of Industrial Relations spokeswoman. “He was injured by a crane in some fashion and we’re investigating exactly what happened,” she said. Nagle was employed with Mr. Crane, a company based in Orange. No foul play was suspected by police investigators, Emami said.

Elevator Repair Worker Killed in Shaft at New Jersey High-Rise Building: Authorities

2/2/2016 - Guttenberg, NJ- An elevator repair worker was killed after he was dragged up inside an elevator shaft at a high-rise building in New Jersey, authorities said. The 44-year-old man from New Windsor was performing monthly maintenance in one of the elevators at the 52-story Galaxy Towers on Boulevard E in Guttenberg when he somehow got tangled between the elevator door and the top portion of the elevator car, the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office said. Slender Towers Rise to Dizzying Heights on NYC Skyline He was dragged upwards and killed, authorities said. The worker was found wedged between an elevator cab and the wall of the shaft, according to the federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

 Construction worker struck by falling concrete in Midtown

2/7/2016 A construction worker was severely injured in Midtown Saturday afternoon when a chunk of concrete fell on his head. The worker was on the 20th floor of 317 Madison Avenue near East 42nd Street, a building currently being demolished, when the heavy block struck him, according to a fire department spokesman. Firefighters lowered the worker to the ground, and EMS rushed him to Bellevue Hospital, where he is in critical condition with a severe head injury.

Construction Worker, 62, Dies in Fall From East Harlem Building

2/4/2016 - Manhattan, NY - A construction worker was killed on Thursday after falling from a building undergoing repair work in Manhattan, the police said. The police were called just after noon to the brick apartment building at 124 East 107th Street in East Harlem, where they found the worker, a 62-year-old man, at the back of the building, the police said. The man, who was identified as Konstantinos Potamousis, was unconscious and unresponsive, and emergency workers pronounced him dead at the scene. Mr. Potamousis was replacing roof gutters on the six-story building when he fell, the police said. The authorities said the episode was under investigation. A stop-work order has been issued by the New York City Buildings Department, officials said. The building had active permits for renovations of several apartments, as well as public areas, like the hallway and stairs. But officials said it was unclear if the work being done on Thursday was covered by the permit. The man was working for Thiva Contracting Company, of Astoria, Queens. “It was an accident,” said a woman who answered Mr. Potamousis’ phone number and who declined to identify herself before hanging up. “We are mourning the loss of a very beloved family member.”

OSHA to Investigate After Man Fell 80 Feet From Tower

2/4/2016 - Abernathy, TX - Federal regulators on Thursday indicated an accident late Wednesday morning in Hale County would be investigated. The Texas Department Safety said they responded on the scene to find a man on the ground who had fallen. The Hale County Sheriff's Office said they were called to that scene at around noon, arriving to find the man north of Abernathy at County Road P and FM 54. HCSO said that man had fallen from a tower. DPS said he was seriously injured after he fell a distance of 80 feet. He was taken to University Medical Center in Lubbock by Aerocare.HCSO identified the man as a 25-year-old from Gordon, Alabama by the name of Michael Deshawn Ray. As of Thursday evening, the Ray was listed in critical condition.The man’s employer, North Houston Power Line Company, issued a brief statement Thursday: “We did have an employee yesterday who was injured. He is recovering in the hospital and the accident is under investigation”

Goldsboro elementary school teacher hit, killed by bus in parking lot

2/9/2016 - Goldsboro, NC - Brandon Kincaid, 25, was hit in the school’s parking lot by a private bus driven by an employee of Small World Child Care Center just before 8:15 a.m. “This is just a huge loss for us and our condolences go out to his family,” said Mike Dunsmore, Wayne County Public Schools superintendent. Kincaid had just arrived to work and was using a wheelchair while heading to the door when he was hit. Kincaid was taken to Wayne Memorial Hospital where he died from his injuries. Throughout Tuesday, crisis teams were at the school to help students and staff with the incident. “There was a lot of people crying in my class and me and some of my other classmates went into the library to talk about it,” said student Samantha Cannon. Taniesha Thompson’s children has just exited the bus before the accident. “All she said is she saw him under the bus,” Thompson said.

Washita County grain elevator employee dies after workplace accident

2/9/2016 - Rocky, OK - An employee at a Washita County grain elevator is dead following a workplace accident. According to the Washita County Sheriff's Office, at approximately 4:30 p.m. Feb. 9 emergency response crews were called to Rocky Farmer's COOP after an employee had slid into equipment in a grain elevator. As emergency crews made their way to the scene, they received a second call stating the trapped employee was believed to be dead. Crews then workers to free the trapped man but determined his injuries were too severe. At 5:20 p.m. the Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office was notified of the man's death. Investigators are attempting to determine what caused the man to become trapped in the elevator machinery. The man's identity is being held pending family notification.

Update: San Bernardino County man identified as construction worker killed in Irvine

2/2/2016 - Earp, CA - A 60-year-old man who died in a construction-related incident was identified Wednesday as Paul Nagle of Earp, a border town near Arizona. Irvine police and Orange County Fire Authority officials responded Tuesday to a commercial construction site around 8:30 a.m. at 15100 Barranca Parkway. Firefighters found Nagle dead next to a crane, Fire Authority Capt. Larry Kurtz said. “It appears that he was killed in a construction incident. It appears to be related to a crane,” said Farrah Emami, an Irvine Police Department spokeswoman who declined to elaborate. Cal/OSHA investigators from the agency’s Santa Ana office went to the construction site Tuesday, said Julia Bernstein, ‎a California Department of Industrial Relations spokeswoman.

Worker who died in accident at Defiance GM Plant identified

2/2/2016 - Defiance, OH  -The Defiance County Sheriff's Office has released the name of the man who died in an accident at the GM Plant in Defiance. The sheriff's office says Terry Bodenbender, 50, was fatally injured in a fall around 1 p.m. Bodenbender worked as an electrician at the plant. GM released the following statement: "We are deeply saddened to confirm an employee death occurred at GM’s Defiance Casting Operations the afternoon of February 2nd. General Motors is committed to employee safety and plant leadership is working closely with authorities to investigate what happened. We offer our thoughts and prayers to all who are impacted by this tragedy. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Toledo office is investigating the death. The agency says the worker was performing maintenance and troubleshooting on an overhead crane when he fell.

Police ID Linden worker killed after getting caught in machine

1/29/2016- Newark, NJ - Police have released the name of a 57-year-old industrial worker killed Friday when his clothes became caught in a piece of industrial machineryAntonio Noble, of Newark, was killed at Advance Machine Inc. on Pennsylvania Avenue, Capt. James Sarnicki said. Leni Fortson, a spokeswoman for the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), previously said Noble was working on a lathe — a machine that rotates an item on its axis — when he was dragged into the machinery. OSHA is investigating the incident.

Snow-clearing Bloomington city worker struck by car dies

2/1/2016 - Bloomington, MN - A Bloomington, Minn. city worker who was struck by a car last week while clearing snow from the road was taken off life support on Saturday and passed away, the city confirmed Monday afternoon. At about 10 a.m. on Thursday, an SUV came barreling toward a Bloomington Public Works vehicle near American Boulevard and Portland Avenue South. Witnesses say the 24-year-old driver was traveling very fast and didn't appear to notice the city truck until the last second.According to someone who only wanted to be identified as a person close to a victim, the workers were parked with their hazard lights on and starting to get back in the car. The driver had just buckled his seatbelt while the passenger was still climbing in when there was deadly impact.

Man dies in workplace accident at Johnson Controls

2/01/2016 - Northwood, OH - A man died in a workplace accident at Johnson Controls in Northwood Monday morning. Police on scene say Larry Johnson, 64, was a contract driver from a trucking company. He arrived at the Northwood plant around 4:30 a.m., and was pinned between two trucks in the loading area shortly after. Officials say there were no witnesses to the incident, but it appears that the semi somehow slipped out of gear and moved on its own while the man was standing in front of it. It's unknown how long he was pinned before someone found him and called 911. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating what happened. According to its website, Johnson Controls is a global technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries:

Monday, February 01, 2016

Death in the American Workplace January 2016

Man killed after concrete slab falls on him at American Fork construction site

1/26/2016 - American Fork, UT - State safety investigators are trying to figure out who or what is responsible for a construction site accident that killed a man Tuesday morning on Auto Mall Drive in American Fork. "All of a sudden, we heard this big crash and the whole building started to shake," said Michael Nappi, who works across the street from the construction site. Nappi said he and other co-workers ended up heading outside to see what happened. A tall crane had tipped over, and two gigantic cement wall slabs came crashing down to the ground. "Everyone running around and screaming and yelling, calling 911," he said. Richie Stevens, Nappi's co-worker who also went outside said two workers, "ran towards the street and looked very distressed. Looked like they were dry heaving, about to vomit." That's when they learned a man was pinned underneath one of the wall slabs.

Man dies after trench collapses in West Seattle

1/26/2016 - Seattle, WA - A construction worker was killed Tuesday after a trench collapsed on him in West Seattle, according to the Seattle Fire Department. The man was completely buried in dirt at a construction site outside a home at 36th Avenue Southwest and Southwest Hanford Street around 10:45 a.m. When firefighters arrived, there were indications the man was still alive, but he died before he could be freed, according to a Fire Department spokeswoman. “When firefighters arrived they were going to rescue him, but after 20 minutes from the last sign of life it became a recovery operation,” said Seattle Fire Department spokeswoman Corey Orvold. Orvold said the man was buried in at least 6 feet of dirt. It took crews several hours to recover his body from the site. Orvold said the accident happened during a sewer-repair project.

Construction worker hit by dump truck, killed in work zone 

1/26/2016 - Houston, TX  - A worker died after being hit by a dump truck Tuesday, police said. It happened at a construction zone in the 12500 block of Highway 290 and Bingle Road in northwest Houston. The 26-year-old man was one of four engineers walking along a wall of a section of the highway under construction, when he reportedly stopped in the driveway, possibly to write some notes. The man was hit by a dump truck that was backing up. The driver did not show signs of impairment, police said. No charges are being filed.

22-year-old killed on the job in Johnston

1/26/2016 - Johnston, RI - An investigation is underway following an industrial accident at a business in Johnston Monday that claimed the life of a 22-year-old worker. The victim was identified as 22-year-old Darwin Perez, a 2-year employee of JR Vinagro, located at 2208 Plainfield Pike. Police say Perez was working with a belt-driven material sorting and crushing machine when an accident occurred. He was declared deceased on scene. A spokesperson for the business sent a statement, reading: "Our entire company is devastated by today's event. During this time of great loss, our deepest condolences are with our team member, his family and friends. The safety of our team members is always our number one priority, and we are cooperating fully with local and federal agencies with the investigation of this tragedy." This isn't the company's first workplace accident. OSHA has an open case from November where an employee suffered an injury and partial amputation on a different piece of machinery. There is also two closed cases--one from February 2015 and one from 2014 in which JR Vinagro was fined $3,500 for an unspecified personal protective equipment issue.

Man dies on the job in Eugene; second workplace death in one week  

1/27/2016 - Eugene, OR - An employee was killed Monday while on the job at Western Panel Manufacturing Inc., an architectural paneling and furniture plywood business on Cross Street, west of Highway 99 and south of Roosevelt Boulevard. According to the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration website, the employee was crushed to death. The machinery or other equipment involved in the employee’s death was not identified. The victim’s name has not been released. When reached by phone Tuesday, a Western Panel employee who declined to give his name said the company has no immediate comment. According to Eugene-Springfield fire dispatch logs, medics and a fire engine were sent to the business at 10:29 a.m. Monday and transported at least one patient to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield. This is the second on-the-job death reported in Eugene in one week. Donovan Frederick Farrald, 37, of Springfield, a truck driver, died Jan. 20 while trying to put a skid-steer loader onto a flatbed trailer outside the Walmart store on West 11th Avenue. Initially, at least one witness reported to 911 that Farrald had been crushed by the forklift, which could be seen lying on its side near Farrald’s body. But police have since said Farrald did not die from injuries related to the heavy equipment.

Lebanon woman dies in industrial accident

1/23/2016 - Lebanon, TN - The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce is investigating a fatal industrial accident that took place late last week at a Nashville glass plant, a spokeswoman for the state agency said Monday. Catherine L. White, 51, of Lebanon died in an industrial-related accident Friday afternoon after suffering a severe head injury at the Carlex Glass America plant at 72 Centennial Blvd., Metro police said. About 4:20 p.m. on Friday, officers were dispatched to the Nashville plant for a report of a person who had been injured on the job, Metro police spokeswoman Kris Mumford said. A supervisor told responding officers that at 3:50 p.m. White reported that she was experiencing problems with a work station printer. "She apparently put her head inside the machine in an attempt to address the issue when the printer suddenly initiated its work cycle, most likely due to White inadvertently activating the machine’s sensors as if the next windshield had entered the machine," Mumford said. During the process, White suffered a severe head injury.

Worker struck and killed by a car in Fitzwilliam

1/22/2016 - Fitzwilliam, MA - A person has died after being hit by a motor vehicle on Route 12 near the Troy line this morning, according to police scanner reports. The crash took place in the construction zone where work is being done on high-tension power lines owned by Eversource, according to the reports. The identity, gender and age of the victim were unavailable as of press time. Route 12 was closed in the area following the crash. Fitzwilliam Fire and Ambulance responded to the crash just before 9 a.m. The Troy Fire Department responded to the Minute Mart in that town to set up a landing zone for a medical transport helicopter coming from UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, Mass., according to the scanner reports. Around 9:30 a.m.,

KYTC worker found dead

1/23/2016 - Hopkinsville, KY - Christopher Adams, 44, was found dead inside his snow plow truck Saturday morning in Christian County. Adams was an employee of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for 16 years. Officials say around 5:50 a.m., Adams called a supervisor to say his snow plow had slid off into a ditch along KY 115. When his supervisor arrived, Adams was slumped over in his truck seat and unresponsive. An ambulance was called to the scene and the paramedics called in the coroner. The coroner says it appears Adams died of natural causes ; there were no signs of trauma and no foul play is suspected. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday in Louisville. Adams had been on the clock since around midnight. During an overnight break, coworkers said he interacted and appeared to be in good spirits.

GRDA Says Worker Apparently Fell To His Death At Power Plant

1/24/2016 7 - Salina, OK - The Grand River Dam Authority confirms a man apparently fell 30 feet to his death at a power plant on Sunday. The contract employee was working at the Grand River Energy Center when the accident took place, according to GRDA spokesperson Justin Alberty, The facility is on U.S. Highway 412 east of Chouteau. Late Sunday, GRDA still was trying to piece together what happened, Alberty said. The investigation is continuing Monday, and GRDA is expected to release additional information.

Family of mailman killed in accident: ‘It really threw us for a loop’ 

1/24/2016 - Lithonia, GA - DeKalb County authorities are investigating the possible storm-related death of a postal worker on Saturday. DeCarlo Allen, 36, was killed when part of a dead tree fell on his mail truck as he was delivering mail in the 6000 block of Shadow Rock Drive at the Mystery Valley Golf Club in Lithonia around 12:30 p.m. The tree crushed the roof of the truck right above where Allen was sitting. DeKalb County fire Capt. Eric Jackson said Allen’s vehicle careened off the road, down a short hillside and into another tree. The impact from the falling tree likely caused the postal worker’s death, Jackson said. Wind likely contributed to knocking the tree down, Jackson said, but the snow and ice that blanketed metro Atlanta earlier in the day were not immediately believed to be factors. Family of mailman killed in accident: ‘It really threw us for a loop’ photo DeCarlo Allen, 36, was killed Saturday when a falling tree hit his mail truck at the Mystery Valley Golf Club. (Credit: DeKalb County Fire and Rescue) “It was really a freak accident,” Jackson said.

Illinois man was shot and killed Wednesday during an early morning robbery in Hammond.

1/20/2016 - Hammond, IN - Hammond Police Lt. Richard Hoyda said police received a call about 4:39 a.m. of a robbery at the 7-Eleven convenience store, 6031 Hohman Ave. A man walked into the store and proceeded to rob it, he said. During the robbery, the suspect shot store clerk Roger Unton, 60, of the 1700 block of Broadway, Blue Island, Ill. The suspect then left the store on foot and is still at large, Hoyda said. Unton liked the midnight shift at the 7-Eleven in Hammond the past four years, recalls Patti Woodworth-Unton. "He enjoyed working by himself," but also considered the Hohman Avenue store regulars more like friends, said Woodworth-Unton, his wife of 22 years.

Lakeville fire under investigation after construction worker's death

1/21/2016 - Lakeville, MN - State officials are investigating a fire and possible explosion at a housing development in Lakeville after a worker burned in the fire died as a result of his injuries. Chris Cahoon, 35, was injured Thursday morning when a fire started in the basement of a house where he was doing construction work. Cahoon, who was a construction manager, according to his Facebook page, had been checking heaters in the basement.The Lakeville police and fire departments responded to a 9:30 a.m. 911 call and found Cahoon. He was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center, and he died late Thursday afternoon, according to his uncle, Steve Manhart. The state fire marshal and Lakeville Fire Department are investigating the cause of the fire. The state Occupational Safety and Health Division, often called Minnesota OSHA, started its investigation Friday. Construction has been halted at the site during the investigations, Lakeville Fire Chief Mike Meyer said.Cahoon’s is Lakeville’s third workplace death in less than a year. In June, a 51-year-old man was killed in a trench collapse at a construction site, and in November, a 28-year-old man died in an industrial roller accident at a factory. OSHA investigations into both incidents are still open.

Worker struck and killed by a car in Fitzwilliam 

1/22/2016 - Fitzwilliam , NH - A person has died after being hit by a motor vehicle on Route 12 near the Troy line this morning, according to police scanner reports.The crash took place in the construction zone where work is being done on high-tension power lines owned by Eversource, according to the reports. The identity, gender and age of the victim were unavailable as of press time. Route 12 was closed in the area following the crash. Fitzwilliam Fire and Ambulance responded to the crash just before 9 a.m.The Troy Fire Department responded to the Minute Mart in that town to set up a landing zone for a medical transport helicopter coming from UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, Mass., according to the scanner reports.

Coal miner killed was crushed by boulder

1/21/2016 - Mount Morris, PA - State authorities say a coal miner who was killed at work over the weekend died after he was crushed by a boulder. According to Brian Osborn, vice president of operations of MEPCO, the accident occurred at 6 p.m. Saturday at a mine near Mount Morris.Osborn said Jeremy Neice, 31, of Danville, West Virginia, was fatally injured in the accident. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection says it is working with the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration to investigate, and operations at the mine have been shut down. It's the second death in about six months at the mine operated by Dana Mining Co. The company was cited in the earlier death. Department spokesman John Poister says the two deaths in that time period represent a "serious situation."

Eufaula bank president shot dead in robbery; FBI identifies robber who was also shot to death

1/21/2016 - Eufaula, OK - A robber disguised as a woman walked into the Bank of Eufaula on Thursday and shot to death President and Chief Executive Randy Peterson, 64, officials and eyewitnesses said. “I've seen people die, but I've never seen a more horrific way to die than what I saw today,” said Robert Simpson, the bank's owner. The robber was later shot to death by law enforcement officers. FBI Special Agent Terry Weber identified the robber late Thursday as Cedric Lamont Norris, 39. The robber also shot and wounded a bank employee, and a hostage was wounded in the shoot-out with officers, authorities said. Simpson, noticeably shaken, described the robbery as unconventional. He said that about 9:30 a.m., a man wearing a woman's hat and speaking in a woman's voice walked into the bank, pulled out a gun, went into Peterson's office and shot him. The robber shot Peterson, 64, in the stomach, then headed to the bank's tellers. Simpson said he and another employee ran into Peterson's office and found him slumped over, blood gushing from his mouth. He said they attempted to stop the bleeding, but there was little they could do.

11-year-old crushed to death by falling hay bale in Pennsylvania

1/21/2016 - Lancaster, PA - Authorities say an 11-year-old boy was killed after being crushed by a hay bale in Pennsylvania, a day after an 8-year-old in the area was seriously hurt in a farm equipment accident. Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni tell Lancaster Online the child was in a barn loosening hay to feed animals Tuesday. That's when a 1,200-pound bale fell about five feet, striking and pinning him beneath. He says the child had been trapped for about 30 minutes before he was discovered. The boy was later identified as Amos B. King, 11. According to his obituary, he attended the Old Order Amish Church. Emergency personnel couldn't revive him. On Monday, an 8-year-old boy suffered what officials called "very serious" injuries when his leg became stuck in a piece of equipment at a farm near Bird-in-Hand. The boy was flown by to Hershey Medical Center. His condition wasn't available Thursday.

Woman identified in fatal industrial accident; OSHA issues statement 

1/20/2016 - Nampa, ID - The Canyon County Coroner has released the name of the woman who was killed in an industrial accident in Caldwell Wednesday afternoon. Canyon County Coroner Vicki Degeus-Morris says Francisca R. Gomez, 63, of Parma was killed when her hair became caught in a drive-line machine. The incident took place at the Crookham Company, a seed company near the intersection of Simplot and Cleveland Blvds. Gomez died at the scene about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Coroner said. An autopsy to hopefully determine the exact cause of death is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

Worker caught in conveyor belt, crushed to death

1/7/2016 - Oceanside, NY - A worker in his 40s was crushed to death in an industrial accident Thursday in Oceanside, Nassau County police said. Police received a call about a man stuck in the machinery at concrete recycler IROC Industries, 55 New St., about 11:25 a.m., Det. Lt. Richard LeBrun said. At the scene, police found the man, who was pronounced dead at 11:37 a.m. “Preliminarily, it appears he did get caught in the conveyor belt of some type of machinery,” LeBrun said. Homicide squad detectives are continuing to investigate, he said. Police did not immediately release the man’s identity.

WORKER KILLED IN INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT

1/11/2016 - Frederick, MD - Montgomery County authorities are investigating the death of a Frederick man who was killed in an industrial accident on Monday morning. It happened at 24420 Frederick Road in Clarksburg. On his Twitter account, Fire and Rescue Spokesperson Pete Piringer said the worker involved in the accident died from his injuries at the scene. Police have identified the deceased worker as 28-year-old Glenn Edward Baugher III. Police Spokesperson Rick Goodale said the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will investigate the cause of the fatal accident. Goodale said no foul play is suspected in this incident. No other information has been released to date.

Worker killed at East Texas construction site 

1/1/2016 - Hallsville TX - A construction worker was killed in East Texas Tuesday, according to the Harrison County Sheriff's Office. It happened around 3:30 p.m. at a home construction site on Walker's Mill Rd. in Hallsville, Texas.According to police, workers called for an ambulance and assistance to free a worker who had been pulled into a concrete pumping machine.Witnesses at the scene reportedly told authorities that the victim had been operating the machine and it appeared that for unknown reasons, he reached into the machine.The machine's blades pulled the victim into the pumping machine, killing the man.The victim was removed from the machine and pronounced dead by Judge Nancy George.The name of the victim is not being released at this time, pending next of kin notification.

School employee killed after being struck by car 

1/14/2016 - Selma, AL - A R.B. Hudson Middle School employee died Thursday afternoon after being struck by a car outside the school. The Selma Police Department responded to the accident that occurred between 2:30 and 3:00 p.m. just shortly before school adjourned for the day. Selma Police Chief John Brock said an elderly woman was driving toward the school’s back parking lot when she claimed her brakes failed and she lost control of the vehicle. The school employee was taking out trash when the woman hit him and a dumpster.The victim was taken to Vaughan Regional Medical Center. He died before he could be transported by LifeFlight to a trauma center. The employee’s identify hasn’t been made public pending next of kin notification.

Venice worker who was crushed to death is identified 

1/14/2016 - Venice, NY - Authorities have released the name of the independent contractor employee who died at the City of Venice Eastside Water Reclamation Facility on Thursday. Dillon Cristopher Antaya, 35, of Sarasota, was crushed after a large concrete slab fell on top of him, the Venice Police Department reported. Officers responded to the call just before noon. According to Antaya’s Facebook page, he was a native of Michigan, engaged to be married and active in motorcross. A co-worker told police that he and Antaya, both employees of Graber Excavating and Demolition, were cutting a large piece of concrete together. Antaya was cutting the concrete with a saw from beneath when his co-worker heard a cracking noise and the slab fell. Other workers reported hearing a large crash, according to a Venice Police Department incident report.

Campaign Worker for Ben Carson Is Killed in Car Accident 

1/19/2016 - Atlantic, Iowa - A volunteer for Ben Carson’s campaign died in a car accident near Atlantic, Iowa, on Tuesday, leading Mr. Carson to suspend campaigning for the day. Two other volunteers and a campaign aide were also injured. The campaign on Tuesday night identified the volunteer who was killed as Braden Joplin, 25. Earlier in the day, the campaign released a statement on the crash. “A van transporting three campaign volunteers and a Carson campaign employee hit a patch of ice and flipped on its side where it was struck by another vehicle.” Mr. Joplin was taken to Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Neb., where he died

Amarillo police say construction worker, 53, dies after being struck by forklift 

1/20/2016 - Amarillo, Texas - Amarillo police say a worker has died after being hit with a forklift at a construction site. Police say Martin Lowell Cline, 53 died Tuesday. Investigators say Cline was on the right side of a large forklift, just ahead of the rear tire. Police say another worker started the equipment and pulled forward, striking Cline. The victim died at an Amarillo hospital. Officials ordered an autopsy.

NYSP identify man who died in trench collapse

1/14/2016 - New Lebanon, NY - A 38-year-old New Lebanon man who died in a construction accident at a home at 2439 County Route 5 in New Lebanon Thursday has been identified as Jesse R. Finley, 38, said New York State Police. At approximately 3:15 p.m., state police from the New Lebanon barracks were dispatched by Columbia County 911 to assist Lebanon Valley Protective Association and the Chatham Rescue Squad with the accident that occurred at a private residence. Finley was assisting a family member install footing drainage around the home, said state police. He was inside an 8-foot deep ditch connecting a drain pipe when the sides of the trench collapsed, burying him. Despite rescue efforts attempted by his family and first responders, Finley was pronounced dead at the scene by Chatham Rescue.A Columbia-Greene Media reporter on scene reported the body being removed around 7 p.m. Colonie Fire Chief Brian Curran speculated that the man was crushed to death by the dirt filling in the trench, which moved at a speed of 45 miles per hour and weighed about 3,000 pounds, he said at the scene.

 Construction worker falls into river, dies in Philadelphia 

1/15/2016 - Philadelphia, PA - Police in Philadelphia say a construction worker has died after he fell into the Delaware River on the job. Chief Inspector Scott Small says officers were called to Pier 78 in south Philadelphia after 8:30 p.m. Thursday. The man had been working at the pier when he disappeared. His hard hat was seen floating in the water and his car was still parked nearby. A police marine unit found the man around 9:30 p.m. The man, whose age wasn't released, was pronounced dead at a hospital.

 Construction worker dies after tragic fall Friday in Wheeling 

1/15/2016 - WHEELING, WV -  A construction worker was killed Friday afternoon after a fall inside the Boury building in downtown Wheeling. The man fell down an elevator shaft and died from his injuries. Wheeling police say the construction worker, who was renovating the building, fell through an opening and struck the concrete below. As it was a workplace accident, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration is handling the investigation.

Hillsborough industrial worker dies after pile of sulfur falls on him 

1/15/2016 - Tampa, FL - A pile of sulfur collapsed on an industrial worker and a front-end loader Friday, killing the worker, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue said. The accident happened at 10 a.m. at 5740 Pembroke Rd. at the Port of Tampa. Deputies say Joseph E. Lammlein, 45, of Palmetto, was using the front-end loader to move sulfur. While he was moving the sulfur, though, the 30-foot pile shifted and buried the front-loader. The sulfur filled the cabin of the front-loader. Employees and responding deputies tried to dig him out, but to no avail. Lammlein, who worked for Gulf Coast Bulk Equipment, died at the scene. Crews were finally able to recover Lammlein's body four hours later. The three deputies who tried to help dig Lammlein out were treated for exposure at St. Joseph's Hospital.

Ohio police officer killed. Are police shootings on the rise? 

1/18/2016 - Mount Vernon, Ohio - Danville Officer Thomas Cottrell was found dead early Monday. A suspect is in custody. Are police shootings on the rise?  A police officer has been found dead behind the municipal building in Danville, Ohio, and a suspect is in custody, authorities said Monday. Knox County Sheriff David Shaffer says in a statement early Monday that authorities received a call just before midnight from a woman saying that police officers in Danville were in danger, and that her ex-boyfriend, Herschel Ray Jones, had weapons and was looking to kill an officer. Shaffer says dispatchers tried to make contact with the Danville officer, but were unsuccessful. The Knox County Sheriff's Office then searched the village.

Construction worker succumbs to injuries from Sutton fall 

1/14/2016 - Sutton, MA - A 22-year-old construction worker injured in a fall Jan. 14 has died, according to a spokesman at UMass Memorial Medical Center-University Campus in Worcester. Ricardo R. Oliveira fell from a height of at least 25 feet at a construction site at 449 Central Turnpike, and was taken by LifeFlight Helicopter to the Worcester hospital, where he had been listed in critical condition. Hospital spokesman Anthony Berry said on Sunday that Mr. Oliveira had passed away. No further details were given. Mr. Oliveira was believed to live with a brother in Woonsocket, R.I., according to Sutton Fire Chief Matthew R. Belsito.

Worker Crushed by Concrete Wall at Waste Water Facility

1/14/2016 - Venice, FL - Authorities say a worker at a southwest Florida waste water facility was killed when a concrete wall collapsed on top of him. Interim Venice Police Chief Thomas Mattmuller told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune that the 35-year-old man was involved in demolition work at the City of Venice Eastside Water Reclamation Facility on Thursday when the wall fell. The man's name wasn't immediately released, but officials say he was working for a contractor, Graber Excavating and Demolition. Assistant City Manager Len Bramble said parts of the facility are being torn down so it can be rebuilt with more capacity. Local officials and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating.

Texas road worker killed after being struck in hit and run 

1/12/2016 - Portland, TX - Texas Department of Transportation contract worker Justin Mazone was weed eating grass in the center median on Highway 181 in Corpus Christi when a Nissan Sentra drove into the median. The car struck and killed Mazone before hitting a concrete barrier and several guard posts. Roman Alexander, the 21-year-old driver, fled the scene along the access road, but was followed by a witness until police arrived where the car had broken down.

Worker dies after falling 50 feet at Henderson landfill

1/18/2016 - Henderson, CO - A worker at a Henderson landfill and recycling plant was killed when he fell more than 50 feet and landed on his head on Monday afternoon, said Sgt. Jim Morgen with the Adams County Sheriff's Office. A Flight for Life helicopter was called to the area but it was not needed since the worker was pronounced dead at t33he scene around 1 p.m., `id Morgen.

Utah flags fly half-staff to honor slain officer

1/17/2016 - Holladay,UT - Officer Doug Barney, an 18-year law enforcement veteran, was killed in the line of duty during a police chase and shooting in Holladay, Utah Sunday morning. A second officer, Jon Richey, was shot three times and taken to a Utah Hospital where he is recovering. It's been a deadly start to 2016, Officer Barney in Utah is one of two officers murdered. In Ohio, officer Thomas Cottrell died in an ambush attack. Cottrell and Barney are the first officers murdered in 2016, leading Fraternal Order of Police President Jason Pappas to say things are changing for police.

Two FPL power line workers killed in truck mishap 

1/19/2016 - SOUTH BAY, FL - Two power company workers were killed after a dirt road apparently gave way under their truck, which toppled into a Palm Beach County canal. The Florida Highway Patrol identified the two Florida Power & Light workers as 36-year-old Nicholas Pflaum and 45-year-old Christopher Garcia. They were on an assignment near South Bay early Saturday when the accident happened. FPL said in a statement the two were high voltage line specialists. Family members told the Sun-Sentinel they were also best friends. Pflaum's wife said her husband was working overtime to pay for an upcoming trip to Paris.

Construction worker struck, killed on I-59 near Attalla

1/7/2016 - Hanceville, AL - 44-year-old construction worker was struck and killed on Interstate 59 on Thursday night. Etowah County Coroner Michael Head said Joshua Goodwyn, 44 of Hanceville, was struck near mile marker 178, near Attalla. A car struck Goodwyn while he was removing barrels from the roadway. Another worker was also hit, and was airlifted to UAB Hospital, but Head said his injuries appear to be non-life-threatening. Alabama Highway Patrol troopers said the crash is under investigation.

Man working on elevator dies during repair job

1/5/2016 - Miami, Fl - Jose Danilo Perez Hernandez, 46 was "was found in an awkward position as if he was working on the elevator, so he was at the top of the elevator," said Natalie Buissereth, a spokesperson with the North Miami Police Department. "Once his employers could not get a hold of him, they decided to come and check on him. When they came, they found him. They contacted fire rescue, fire rescue responded and advised that he has passed away on the scene." According to officials, Hernandez was found on top of the elevator, inside the elevator shaft. Family members identified Hernandez as the co-owner of Advanced Elevator Company, a small, family-owned business. "I'm very sad about it because it's probably a very preventable accident," said one resident. "It's been having problems for about a year or so, but they do call the elevator service every so often." "This was a tragedy. It's sad. I don't know him personally, but I feel bad. I heard he was only 46," said Ron Brave, who also lives in the complex.

Worker killed in Paramount utility pole mishap identified

1/7/2016 - Los Angeles, CA. - Authorities Thursday released the identity of a 26-year-old Southern California Edison worker who died in a mishap while working on a utility pole in Paramount Wednesday afternoon. Jeffrey Jacob Moon of Los Angeles died in the 5:22 p.m. incident, initially reported by fire officials as an electrocution, at California Avenue and Jefferson Street, according to Ed Winter, assistant chief of operations at the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. Witnesses reported Moon was working up on a telephone pole when he fell, Winter said. “The decedent lost his footing, slid down the pole an became entangled in the telecommunications lines below,” he said. Coworkers freed Moon from the wires and brought him to the ground, officials said. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

UPS worker hit, killed by UPS big rig in West Sacramento


1/8/2016 - West Sacramento, CA - A UPS employee was hit and killed by a UPS big rig at the company's distribution hub in West Sacramento, police said Friday. The incident happened about 9 p.m. at the UPS parking lot off Harbor Boulevard and Del Monte Street. The employee, who had been with the company for 28 years, was hit by the vehicle and became stuck underneath the truck. He was pulled out from under the big rig and taken to UC Davis Medical Center with significant injuries, but later died at the hospital, West Sacramento police said.

Questions amid mourning in Tonawanda Coke death

1/6/2016 - Tonawanda, NY - A Tonawanda Coke employee went to work Wednesday but didn’t come home. Not much else is known about the unknown 60-year-old man, or how he died, a day after he was killed by industrial machinery in an elevator in the plant’s “coal-handling section.” “Right now, for us, for the union, it’s just a tragedy,” said James Briggs, an official with Cheektowaga-based District 4, United Steelworkers. “A guy got up to go to work and planned on going home at the end of the day, and his family planned on seeing him. That didn’t happen.”

 Contractor killed by forklift at Honda R&D center in Union County

1/4/2016 Raymond, OH - A Honda contractor died on Monday morning, after he was hit in the head by a forklift at Honda R&D Americas in Union County just five minutes into his shift. Ghouse Gulam, 61 died from a crushed skull about 7:35 a.m. at Memorial Hospital of Marysville, said Union County Coroner David Applegate. Gulam was injured just after 6 a.m. at the Honda plant in Raymond. According to Honda and investigators, he had just clocked in and was walking outside in a causeway between two buildings when he was struck by a forklift driven by another contract worker. Unlike most of the indoor facilities at Honda, the causeway did not have surveillance cameras, said Jim Fish, a coroner’s investigator. Fish said the vehicle operator, who is not being named, was carrying a trash bucket on the forks that might have impeded his visibility.

Worker Dies After Being Struck By Log In Lockport

1/4/2016 - New Lenox, IL - A 38-year-old man died Monday afternoon after he was struck in the head by a log while working in southwest suburban Lockport. Police responded to Homer Tree Service in the 14000 block of Archer Avenue at 1:37 p.m. and found a man bleeding heavily from the head, Lockport Deputy Police Chief Ron Huff said. The worker was identified as Brad T. Harders, 38 of Genoa, according to the Will County coroner’s office. He was taken to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, where he was pronounced dead at 2:01 p.m. Harders was working on a piece of equipment that cuts logs into boards when he was struck in the head by a log, Huff said, adding that it did not appear the machine malfunctioned. Harders was employed by Total Staffing and was working for J & M Wood Products, according to a statement from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. He was not an employee of Homer Tree Service.The victim was taken to Vaughan Regional Medical Center. He died before he could be transported by LifeFlight to a trauma center. The employee’s identify hasn’t been made public pending next of kin notification.

OSHA investigating Holden worksite death


12/24/2015 - Worcester, MA -The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the death a 30-year-old Worcester man who died on a worksite Christmas Eve in Holden. Edgard Nieves, 30, a machinist at Inner-Tite Corp. in Holden, was killed at work on Christmas Eve, said Mary Hoye, area director for the Springfield office of OSHA, which covers Central Massachusetts. Hoye could not offer further details about the accident, because an investigation is pending. OSHA investigations can take up to six months and normally take about two or three months in the case of a death, Hoye said. OSHA will aim to find out what happened during the accident and if any OSHA standards were violated.

McDonald's employee fatally stabbed by homeless man, police say


1/4/2016 - Bronx, NY - A McDonald's employee was stabbed to death early Monday morning in the Bronx after asking an apparent homeless man to leave the bathroom, reports CBS New York. Manager Adam Garcia, 28, got into a dispute with a man who had overstayed his welcome in the bathroom at the New York City restaurant, police said. Garcia escorted the man out of the restaurant and the two got into an argument in the parking lot, police said. The other man pulled out a knife and stabbed Garcia in the neck and chest, police said. CBS New York reports that Garcia then went back into the restaurant where he collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital but didn't survive, police said."Outgoing, chatty. He spoke about his kid a lot," employee Diomedes Marcelino told CBS New York.


1 worker dead, 1 injured in accident at Chicago’s Ford plant

1/2/2016 - Chicago, IL – One construction worker was killed and another was critically injured while working in the Ford assembly plant at 12600 S. Torrence Ave. after an eight-by-eight wall collapsed. The Chicago Fire Department says the accident happened just before 11 a.m. on Saturday in part of the plant under construction. A section of a concrete wall collapsed, killing a 45-year-old man. The Cook County Medical Examiner's office identified the man who died as John J. Jaloway, 45 of Carol Stream.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

The Weekly Toll: Death in the American Workplace

As you will see the last few post are in the same formats or any real order.  Once we are caught up on It will get back to normal.  Bless the Families! 


10/3/2015 - Newark, NJ  - Vitaliy Popovych, 41 was from Clifton and was working at TNT International LTD  when something went wrong and he was fatally crushed by a forklift.


10/2/2015 - Webster, CA - Giuseppe Santuccio, 51 was killed after being hit by Jacqueline Torres, 26, of Woodland, while he was standing near his big rig parked at the side Interstate 80 just east of Mace Boulevard. He worked for Bigge Crane & Rigging Co.10/1/2015 - Ontario, CA Saul was crushed by machinery while working for PBQ Welding & Machinery.

10/1/2015 - Atlanta, GA - Emmanuel C. Nwankwo, 23 was shot multiple times, but what was most surprising for others who work in the building was that the shooting involved two men who are paid to help keep them safe. He worked for SecurAmerica LLC, 

10/1/2015b - Orange City, FL A roofer died Thursday morning in an industrial accident at Coggin DeLand Ford, according to the Orange City Police Department. Police said they found Robert Heyman, 35, unresponsive and pinned between a bucket-lift and the roof of the business.  Another man who was in the lift dropped 30 feet to the ground, injuring his ankle.  He was an employee of Tecta America, a company contracted to do roofing at Coggin DeLand Ford.


10/2/2015 - Hermitage, TN - Billy Earl Lowe, 59  crushed by machine arm used to move rolls of wire. He worked for Middle Tennessee Recycling, LLC.


10/1/2015 - Kevil, KY - Brandon Jermaine Mitchell, 29 was working for Sheehan Pipeline Construction Co. when he was struck and killed by falling tree the first day on the job he was from Mississippi.

9/29/2015 - Conyers, GA - deputies were called to a parking lot at the intersection of Ga. 20 and Oglesby Bridge Road near Conyers, the sheriff’s office said. Outside the Goodwill store, deputies found Pamela Yvonne Harmon, 57, dead from a gunshot wound. Harmon of Covington had worked at the Goodwill store for 11 years, and had previously worked with Johnson, but no possible motive was released. One man who called Harmon a friend brought flowers to a makeshift memorial Tuesday at the shopping center.


9/29/2015 - Las Vegas, NV -  Las Vegas, NV 89101   Chuck Wyman Worker electrocuted while servicing arcade vending machine and Nickels and Dimes Inc.

9/28/2015  Butler, PA - A sewer line worker died Monday when a 12-foot trench collapsed on him in Butler County.  Jacob Casher, 21, of Clearfield was part of a crew working behind Shelbourne Personal Care, a nursing home, on Dinnerbell Road in Penn.  The trench collapsed just before 2 p.m., and it took emergency workers several hours to recover his body, police said.  It's unclear why the trench collapsed. 


9/28/2015 - Baltimore, MD - Charles Sibert, 72 was struck and killed by trusses that fell off delivery truck while working for J&R Transport Inc.

10/1/2015 - San Fernando, CA - Salvador Ortiz Gonzalez was killed in a fall from a roof. He worked for Builders Construction and Remodeling.
                                                         
9/30/2015 - Jamesburg, NJ - Worker struck and killed by tractor trailer cab.  The worker was employed by Argix Direct Inc.

9/30/2015 - Houston, TX -  David Magana Worker fatally crushed between spools of tubing and forklift.Tenaris Coiled Tubes LLC.


9/28/2015 - Odenton, MD - Kenneth Oyola, 45 Worker killed in fall from ladder while working for Stillwater Plumbing, 

9/26/2015 - Naples, FL - Worker killed in fall from tie-beam while working for SB Framing Service Inc.

9/26/2015 La Belle, MO - Worker killed when ejected from company vehicle.Sharpe Holdings Inc., 

9/25/2015 Schertz, TX - Worker installing decking struck and killed by lightning while working at AZ Construction, 

9/25/2015 - Ghent, KY - Samuel "Jack" Commins, 27 was  fatally crushed between aerial lift bucket and steel beam while working for Kellogg Brown & Root,  

9/24/2015 - Chicago, IL - A man was killed when a wall collapsed as workers removed roofing material without proper permits at a Bronzeville neighborhood building Thursday morning, officials said.The man was identified as Daniel Miller, 46, of the 9900 block of South Nottingham Avenue in Chicago Ridge, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. He was pronounced dead on the scene at 12:56 p.m. The Department of Buildings responded to a report of the wall collapse "immediately upon notification," the department said in a statement. "Upon inspection, the department learned that workers from the community were removing roofing material from the building without proper permits. The last permit issued for this property was an electrical permit on (Sept. 3) to install, conduit, new outlets, lights and switches."

9/24/2015 - Piscataway, NJ -Raymond Crosby, 52 was killed when part of the Beachwood Plaza roof collapsed on top of him. Investigators are starting to look into the death of a construction worker following the partial collapse of a building in the Bayville section of Berkeley Township. Raymond Crosby was working on the demolition team at Beachwood Plaza on Route 9 when part of the roof collapsed, killing him. Officials say the collapse happened just before 3 p.m. Thursday. According to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, Crosby was using an acetylene torch to remove girders. He was employed by Edgewood Properties, Piscataway

9/24/2015 -Millersburg, OH - Worker killed in fall from forklift while working for Fredericksburg Builders LLC,

9/24/2015 - Greenfield, OK - Worker struck and killed by pin on oil and gas well drilling rig.NorAm Drilling Company, 

9/24/2015 - Avon Park, FL -The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the apparent accidental death of a 55-year-old Avon Park man Thursday around 4:30 p.m., according to a news release. Authorities identified the victim as Jesus Macias-Lopez, 55, an employee of Quality Turf, where the accident happened, according to the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office. Macias-Lopez was injured — and he subsequently died — in the accident involving an agricultural tractor, the news release said. Hw was struck and killed by pin on oil and gas well drilling rigHe was pronounced dead at scence of the accident, Quality Turf, 2850 Bonnet Creek Road. The accident occurred off the roadway.

9/24/2015 Testa Produce Inc., Chicago, IL 60609 William W. White Worker killed in fall from elevated platform.


9/24/2015 - Bealton, VA - Jose Alfredo Lainez, 46 of Woodbridge, was working in the 6100 block of Willow Place in Bealeton, according to Lt. Col. Paul Mercer of the Sheriff's Office. The call went out for the accident at 11:36 a.m. When deputies and fire and rescue workers arrived, they found the man lying in a ditch, with no signs of life and an injury to his upper body, Mercer said. Emergency workers spoke with a doctor on duty at Fauquier Hospital's Emergency Department and confirmed the man's time of death at 11:53 a.m. He was struck and killed when chop saw kicked back while working for William A. Hazel, Inc.  The man was sawing on a work pipe with a gas-powered cutoff saw, Mercer said. The saw began binding, which caused it to kick back, causing the fatal injury.


9/23/2015 - Las Vegas, NV - 27-year-old Joshua Richard Meade, of Las Vegas, the coroner's office said Thursday. Meade, a contract worker, was injured just after 11 a.m. at The Thomas and Mack Center. He died later at a valley hospital. Joshua was struck and killed by trench plate while working for Dimick Development Company. The coroner's office listed his cause of death as blunt force injuries after being crushed by a trench plate, a large, heavy piece of metal often used to cover holes in roads. Traumatic asphyxia, caused by injuries to the chest area, also contributed to Meade's death.

9/23/2015 Fairfield, PA 17320 Michael Hill Worker killed by arc flash when working near electrical cabinet while working for Ellsworth Electric Inc.



9/23/2015 - Swansea, IL - Police have released the identity of the victim of a fatal Swansea lawn-mowing accident. Conner LaPointe, 18, of Pike Saw Mill Road in New Athens, was operating a commercial mower Wednesday near a pond near the 1800 block of Carrington Way when his mower rolled into a pond and trapped him beneath it. Conner was working for Gregory T. Wieland, This is the second fatal mowing incident in the metro-east in the last two months. On July 29, 74-year-old Duane Sudholt died when his mower overturned on an embankment in Shiloh. He was severely burned by leaking gas ignited by the hot engine.



9/28/2015 - Wilmington, NC - Two workers have died when a backhoe they were using hit a power line in Wilmington. Multiple media outlets reported the incident happened shortly before 8 a.m. Monday. The police department said the victims were 55-year-old James Lemuel Williams of Richlands and 49-year-old Manuel Melendez Flores of Jacksonville. Another man was hurt but is expected to recover. Fire Department Battalion Chief David Hines said the men were unloading concrete vaults from a flatbed truck when the boom on the backhoe hit a power line. Hines said the backhoe became energized, which energized the wet ground where the men were. The city said the men were working with East Coast Contracting of Wilmington. The city hired the company for drainage improvements in the area.




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