fatalities tollWorker dies after northeastern Indiana industrial accident

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) — Authorities say a worker has died in an accident at an industrial facility in northeastern Indiana. The Allen County sheriff’s department says the woman got stuck in a machine at Fort Wayne Plastics on Sunday afternoon. The worker’s name wasn’t immediately released. Sheriff’s department spokesman Capt. Steve Stone tells WANE-TV that the woman was freed from the machine at the Fort Wayne facility but was pronounced dead by paramedics.

‘Our Hearts Are Breaking’: Firefighter, Resident Killed in North Philadelphia Blaze

Philadelphia, PA — Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel paused briefly Saturday before delivering the devastating news. Lt. Matthew LeTourneau, an 11-year veteran of the department, had died in the line of duty at the age of 42.  Lt. LeTourneau was one of 100 firefighters who responded to a two-alarm rowhome fire on the 2200 block of North Colorado Street, a side street off West Susquehanna Avenue near 17th Street in North Philly, at 8:51 a.m. Saturday. The responding firefighters removed a resident from the home. That resident, who has not yet been identified, was later pronounced dead. During the fire, a structure inside the home collapsed while Lt. LeTourneau was inside, trapping him underneath debris. His colleagues tried desperately to get him out.

Cashier shot dead by estranged husband at west valley store

Las Vegas, NV — A cashier working in a west valley convenience store was shot and killed Saturday night by her estranged husband who then turned the gun on himself, according to Metro Police. The man, who shot himself in the head, was rushed to University Medical Center in critical condition, said Metro Lt. Dan McGrath. He called the shooting “very disturbing” and “a very unfortunate domestic violence incident.” “Domestic violence is something that as difficult as it is, it needs to be discussed and we need to bring it up and talk about it…there are always other options,” he said. The man, who is in his late 50s, walked into Herbst Market on Desert Inn and Fort Apache roads, went around the counter and shot the woman multiple times, McGrath said. Video surveillance shows that there apparently was no confrontation before gunfire erupted, he added.

Investigation launched at Holland plant following worker’s death

HOLLAND, Mich. — The Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration (MiOSHA) is investigating a workplace accident December 22nd at Challenge Manufacturing that allegedly led to an employee’s death. That’s been confirmed by a spokesperson for the state Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs. It happened that evening at the manufacturing plant at 1401 S. Washington Avenue, according to dispatchers. Scott Tuesink, 56, died seven days later at the Fred & Lena Meijer Heart Center in Grand Rapids. Reportedly, Tuesink was struck by a steel coil, before being taken to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital for treatment.

Massachusetts state worker dies after storm

Arlington, MA — Police say an employee of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority died while cleaning up after the winter storm that dumped more than a foot of snow on parts of the state. Arlington police tell WFXT-TV that the employee, who they did not publicly identify, went into cardiac arrest and was found in a snowbank at a facility for the water authority early Friday. The employee was taken to Mount Auburn Hospital, and was pronounced dead.

Truck driver dies after crashing off of Virginia highway into house

Galax, VA — A truck driver lost his life this morning when he left the roadway and crashed into an unoccupied house near Galax, Virginia.  The crash happened around 10 a.m. According to Virginia State Police, truck driver Johnathan D. Harding, 40, was traveling westbound on Route 58 when he left the roadway and struck a home two miles east of Galax, causing severe structural damage.

Worker Dies in Forklift Accident at Marine Terminal

San Diego, CA — A longshore worker was killed in a forklift accident at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal in Barrio Logan Wednesday, the Port of San Diego confirmed. Rescue crews responded to reports of the accident in the 1700 block of Water Street just before 3:30 p.m., San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) said. The longshore worker died, Port of San Diego spokesperson Marguerite Elicone said. The individual’s identity has not yet been released. The accident occurred near the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.

Gavilon Grain employees killed in elevator identified

One thought on “Weekly Toll: Death in the American Workplace”
  1. Do not fall for OSHA’s poor me reporting. Go to any state work comp building and for every injured worker you see being denied care OSHA has the authority to investigate each claim. Instead workers are getting hurt and killed and then they and their families are thrown into a insurance Ponzi scheme. I am so happy right now to read this news. OSHA failed me. Someone I worked with died and they wouldn’t touch it because they get funding with the people they are supposed to monitor. State of emergency funding hits multiple pockets. The new big thing. Creating emergencies to make money. By OSHA.

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