Last week workers were crushed in a trench collapse, machinery and by a falling pipe. A worker died of a fungal infection, others were killed in falls, bludgeoned to death in a homeless shelter, killed in vehicle incidents, shot and drowned. On average, over 100 workers are killed every week in the United States due to traumatic injuries suffered at work. More than 20 times as many die from occupational diseases, many due to exposure to hazardous substances many years before they died. The few narratives below (gathered from almost 100 Google News searches) do not come close to capturing the full toll that work takes on the working people of this country. Nevertheless the accounts below gave you a taste of the preventable carnage occurring in workplaces across the country every day.
Worker who died at Michelin plant identified, cause of death released
LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. — A Lexington County man killed in a Lexington plant incident has been identified by the coroner’s office. According to Coroner Margaret Fisher, the death occurred on Thursday morning after the victim, 57-year-old Mark S. Lepkowski of Pelion, was found pinned between pieces of machinery by coworkers at the Michelin plant on Two Notch Road. Lexington County Emergency Medical Services took Lepkowski to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. Coroner Fisher said an autopsy was performed on Friday that found his cause of death to be compressional asphyxia.
Construction worker killed, another injured by large steel pipe in west Bexar County
Bexar County, TX — A construction worker was killed and another one injured Saturday afternoon in western Bexar County after a large steel pipe fell while it was being unloaded from an 18-wheeler, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office said. The incident happened around noon in the 12100 block of West Military Drive. Authorities said the workers were part of a construction team working on a drainage system on the side of the roadway. Carlos Hernandez-Alvarez, 52, was killed by blunt and crush injuries sustained when a large metal gas pipe fell off a truck and onto him in what the medical examiner is calling an accidental death.
Worker dies after trench collapse in Holdenville
HOLDENVILLE, Okla. — The Holdenville Police Department identified the man killed in Monday’s trench collapse. Officials say Jose Valenzuela and other contractors were replacing a compromised sewer line near 3rd and Vorhees around 3 p.m. when the trench collapsed. Valenzuela was trapped inside. Emergency crews recovered his body late Monday night. The investigation is ongoing and has been turned over to Oklahoma Occupational Safety and Health Administration. [Note: There is no “Oklahoma” Occupational Safety and Health Administration.]
5 Killed in Louisville Bank Shooting
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A 25-year-old man shot and killed five colleagues with a rifle on Monday at the downtown bank where he worked, the police said. Eight others were wounded in the attack, two of them critically. The suspect, who officials said was livestreaming the rampage, was killed by the police after exchanging fire with them. Police said the shooter had joined the downtown branch of the Old National Bank as a full-time employee last year. The victims were Josh Barrick, a senior vice president at Old National Bank, Tommy Elliott, a 63-year-old senior vice president; Jim Tutt Jr., a 64-year-old senior vice president; Juliana Farmer, a 45-year-old loan analyst. Deana Eckert, a 57-year-old executive administrative officer.
One person dead following Blastomycosis Outbreak in Escanaba
ESCANABA, Mich. (WJMN) – One person is confirmed dead as the result of a Blastomycosis outbreak at Billerud Paper Mill in Escanaba. According to Public Health Delta & Menominee Counties (PHDM), a contractor who worked at the mill died due to blastomycosis. As of Friday, there are 21 confirmed cases of blastomycosis. 76 people have been classified as probable cases. Twelve out of the 97 total cases have been hospitalized. All 97 of the cases are either employees, contractors or visitors of the Billerud Paper Mill in Escanaba.
Dump truck driver killed in Cobb County crash this morning identified
COBB COUNTY, Ga. – Police shut down a busy Cobb County road Wednesday morning following a deadly wreck involving a dump truck. The crash happened around 4:50 a.m. in the northbound lanes of Atlanta Road past Bolton Road. According to officials, a white 2005 Mack 7000 dump truck was traveling north on the road when its dump bed collided with the railroad bridge support, flipping the vehicle onto its side. Police have confirmed with FOX 5 that the driver, identified as 44-year-old Jason Maddox of Cartersville, was ejected from his vehicle and died in the crash.
Miner dies after being struck by ‘falling ground’ inside Idaho mine,
Wallace, ID — A worker was killed in an Idaho mine after being struck by “falling ground,” a metal company said. The miner died Tuesday, April 11, after working in the Galena Complex near Wallace, Americas Gold and Silver Corporation said in an April 12 news release. The worker was underground in the Shoshone County mine when ground fell fell and killed them, the company said. The man killed in an accident at the Galena Mine has been identified as Blaik Nutting.
West Virginia state forester dies while fighting forest fire
FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (WOWK) — A West Virginia Division of Forestry worker was killed while fighting a forest fire in Fayette County on Thursday. Cody Mullens, 28, of Mt. Hope, was killed by a falling tree while fighting a forest fire near Montgomery, according to a press release from Gov. Jim Justice.
Vermont homeless shelter staff take month off after co-worker killed
Brattleboro, VT — A Vermont homeless shelter where police say a resident killed the coordinator using an ax and a knife last week will be closed for the rest of the month as staff take three weeks off to grieve the loss of their co-worker, an official said. Zaaina Mahvish-Jammeh, 38, pleaded not guilty last Tuesday to killing Leah Rosin-Pritchard, 36, on April 3, at Morningside House in front of co-workers. The judge ordered a mental health evaluation for Mahvish-Jammeh.
Truck driver killed in crash with train
ASHLAND, Ky. (WSAZ) – Ashland Police Chief Todd Kelley confirms the driver of a dump truck died after the truck was struck by a train. It happened Tuesday at the 42nd Street crossing as the truck driver was turning onto it from Winchester Avenue, Kelley says. The collision took place right across from the Ashland Fire Department’s Station 2. Firefighters heard the crash and rushed across the street. “There was nothing they could do,” Ashland Fire Department Deputy Chief Stephen Alley said. “It was a very traumatic, catastrophic incident.” A crossing bar and lights are located at the crossing. Chief Kelley says they and CSX crews are investigating what the status of those were at the time of the collision.
Worker dies in Gainesville after being pinned under machinery
Gainesville, Ga. — A man working for a grading company in Gainesville was killed Thursday, April 13 when the machinery rolled on top, according to authorities. The middle-aged man, who has not been identified, was working at a home about 11:40 a.m. Thursday in the area of Thompson Bridge Road and Woodlake Drive. Gainesville Fire Chief Brandon Ellis said a soil compactor, meant to be operated by a single person, “appears to have turned over.” Ellis said the man was pinned under the equipment and appears to have died before EMS arrived at the scene.
Tragic Workplace Accident in Glen Cove Results in Fatality
Glen Cove, NY — A tragic accident occurred on Friday, April 14, 2023, when a 23-year-old man fell through the roof of a commercial building located at 40 Garvies Point Road in Glen Cove. The victim, whose identity has not yet been released, suffered severe head trauma and was air lifted to a local hospital by a Nassau County Police helicopter for treatment. Unfortunately, the victim was pronounced deceased by a hospital physician. At this time, it is unclear whether or not the victim was wearing any safety equipment at the time of the fall. However, workplace safety regulations require that employers provide their employees with the necessary safety equipment and training to prevent accidents like this from happening.
Man killed in accident at Perrysburg Township steel plant
Perrysburg, OH — A 45-year-old man was killed Friday evening at a steel processing plant in Perrysburg Township in what is believed to have been an industrial accident, township police reported. Sgt. Jason Gladney said the incident at Precision Strip, at 7401 Ponderosa Rd. off State Rt. 795, was reported about 6 p.m. According to police, Shawn Howard, 45, was trapped in the equipment and pronounced dead at 5:55 p.m. by medics on the scene. Police took statements from multiple workers and OSHA will be in to investigate.
2nd body found in search for men believed to have drowned in Trinity River
DALLAS, TX – Dallas police believe recovery teams found the second victim of a drowning from last weekend. An officer at California Crossing Park in Northwest Dallas noticed a body in the Trinity River Friday night after dive teams ended their search for the night. DPD Air One and a dive team were called back to recover the body. Relatives of 18-year-old Eddi Osvaldo Yat Choc came out to the park, and they believe it was his remains. He and 21-year-old Juan Ruben Chel Botzoc went missing in the Trinity River on Easter Sunday. On Thursday, dive teams pulled a body from the river. Relatives believe it is that of Botzoc. Both bodies have been sent to the medical examiner’s office to be identified.
Nyssa reserve officer killed in weekend shooting, gunman being sought
Nyssa, OR — An Eastern Oregon police officer was shot after being dispatched to a call about a violent individual damaging property and threatening others near a residence. According to a press release from Malheur County District Attorney Dave Goldthorpe, Nyssa Police Department Reserve Officer Joseph Johnson, 43, was shot and killed Saturday, April 15, around 8:30 p.m. after the officer pursued a vehicle that eventually came to a stop. “Officer Johnson learned the suspect had fled in a vehicle and began a pursuit through the city,” Goldthorpe said in the release. “When it appeared, the vehicle was stopping at the residence at the corner of Locust and 3rd Street N., Officer Johnson pulled off the road as well.” Immediately upon making the stop, an armed subject, later identified as Rene Castro, began shooting at Johnson, jordanbarab.com/confinedspace/who was fatally hit.
Employee dead after dispute
DETROIT, MI – A store employee killed in Greektown, a curfew ordered for minors, and half a dozen shootings all made up what turned into a violent weekend in Detroit. The fatal shooting happened at a store in Greektown. According to Chief White, a dispute over someone cutting another person in line escalated before a store employee was killed. “The officers were out front patrolling the area, and they heard the gunshot, and it turns out it was some kind of dispute about someone cutting in line,” he said. The victim was taken to the hospital before being pronounced dead.
Wildfire contained after 3 days; Sussex firefighter dies
Wantage, NJ — A wildfire that consumed almost 1,000 acres in West Milford was 100 percent contained as of 10 a.m. Saturday, April 15, nearly three days after it began. Meanwhile, a Sussex Borough firefighter who had responded to the six-acre Mount Salem Road fire in Wantage on Wednesday to support the Forest Fire Service died at his home that night, the service said. “The New Jersey Forest Fire Service extends its condolences to the family of Sussex Township firefighter Tony Duivenvoorde, who died at home Wednesday night,” it said on Twitter.
Pope County, Minn., deputy killed, 2 other officers shot responding to domestic call
Cyrus, MN — A Pope County deputy was killed while another deputy and a police officer were injured Saturday night during an attempted arrest in the western Minnesota town of Cyrus. Earlier, the sheriff’s office said two Pope County deputies and an officer from Starbuck, Minn., responding to a 7:30 p.m. domestic call were struck by gunfire while making an arrest at a residence. There was an exchange of gunfire during the attempted arrest and the sheriff says the suspect was also shot and killed. One deputy was taken to the hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries. The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association late Sunday morning identified the deputy as Joshua Owen.
20-year-old shot, killed Cleveland Municipal Airport employee
HOUSTON, TX – An airport employee was killed at work by an ex-employee, police say. According to the Cleveland Police Department, Marco Elihu Jacquez, 20, has been charged with capital murder. The victim was identified as 29-year-old Jesse Ray Rogers. Investigators say the victim, Rogers, was a current employee of the airport. The employee was allegedly approached by an ex-employee, Jacquez, who was carrying a shotgun. The ex-employee is reported to have quit four months ago. The ex-employee reportedly demanded Rogers get into his car, but he refused. When he was denied, Jacquez allegedly shot the employee and drove away in a 2016 Silver Nissan four-door car.
Man who died while working on HVAC system at Springfield’s Capital Airport identified
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) – A man who died from injuries he sustained while working at the HVAC system at Capital Airport in Springfield has been identified. The coroner said 55-year-old Gregory Fields of Springfield died at 3:27 p.m. Monday after being rushed to the hospital. Officials reported the man sustained blunt force injuries and burns while working with an HVAC system. He died Monday at 3:27 p.m. at the hospital.
Newport News man dies from injuries at Suffolk Industrial Park
Newport News, VA — An industrial accident Wednesday morning at Suffolk Industrial Park claimed the life of a Newport News man. Raheem Shala Talley Jr., 30, of Newport News, succumbed to life-threatening injuries after being pinned under a forklift at a warehouse facility. The six units arriving on the scene found Talley pinned under a forklift in the loading dock area of a storage warehouse building in the Suffolk Industrial Park. Advanced life-support care was initiated while the heavy piece of equipment was stabilized, allowing him to be removed from under the equipment, according to a department news release. Advanced life-support care was continued and Talley was ground transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.