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.
Tree trimmer pronounced dead after being found stuck in palm tree in California
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A tree trimmer was pronounced dead Thursday evening after he became stuck in a palm tree. A man called 911 at around 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 17 to report he couldn’t reach his co-worker. Kern County firefighters responded to Plaza Street where they found the tree trimmer, Fermin Ulices Leiva, 55, stuck underneath palm fronds. The man was unconscious. More than two hours later, firefighters were able to remove all of the palm fronds and reach the tree trimmer, but he had already died, firefighters said. The tree trimmer will be identified by the Kern County Coroner’s Office at a later time. An autopsy will determine the man’s cause of death.
Runaway garbage truck rolls downhill, kills its driver
Baltimore, MD — A garbage worker died Friday afternoon after his garbage truck rolled downhill, hit him and struck four cars before crashing into a building in the Mount Vernon neighborhood, authorities said. Michael Bost, 41, was outside of the garbage truck he was operating when it began to roll. Police said Bost was hit by the runaway truck, which then slammed into four cars before hitting the Cozy Corner restaurant in the unit block of West Centre Street around 3:45 p.m. Bost, who was listed as the truck’s “operator,” was pronounced dead on the scene, authorities said. Numerous emergency vehicles responded to the scene. The garbage truck had a logo for WB Waste Solutions LLC.
2nd shipyard worker dies following reported industrial accident at Marine Hydraulics in Norfolk
NORFOLK, Va. — Another man has died following a reported industrial accident at local ship repair business Marine Hydraulics International Wednesday morning, police confirmed to News 3. In a statement, Marine Hydraulics confirmed that the two men who died were shipyard workers. Norfolk Fire-Rescue responded to the incident around 8:10 a.m. at the Marine Hydraulics Midtown Pier facility in Norfolk, police say. That’s near the Midtown Tunnel. Police say a man died at the scene and another was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. They later confirmed that the second man died in connection to the reported accident. John Robinson, 55, from Norfolk, died at Marine Hydraulics’ Midtown Pier facility Wednesday
One dead after incident at Decatur poultry processor
DECATUR, Ala. — A worker at a Decatur plant has died following an accident Saturday night. The Decatur Police Department on Sunday said the unidentified worker died after an incident that happened just after 7 p.m. at the Dutch Quality House facility located in the 100 block of Plugs Drive. The male victim was taken to a local hospital but did not survive. OSHA will investigate the accident. Dutch Quality House is associated with Wayne Farms, a company that focuses on poultry production. The company was involved in a recent merger and now operates as Wanye-Sanderson Farms.
Worker dies after being run over by skid steer at Illinois Tollway facility in Gurnee
Gurnee, IL — A worker has died after he was run over by a skid steer loader and suffered life-threatening injuries at an Illinois Tollway maintenance facility in Gurnee. The Gurnee Fire Department and Illinois State Police responded around 7:30 a.m. Friday to the Illinois Tollway M-4 building, located along Interstate 94 near Grand Avenue in Gurnee. A 911 caller reported a person had been run over by a skid steer. The victim was unconscious and it was unknown if he was breathing, according to fire department radio traffic. The Illinois State Police said a preliminary investigation showed two contracted, non-tollway employees were performing work at the maintenance facility. One contractor was driving a skid steer when the other contractor walked in front of it. The victim, identified as 39-year-old Gregory Bolls of Chicago, was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville with life-threatening injuries. He later died on Sunday in the intensive care unit. He was run over by the machinery, state police said. He suffered life-threatening injuries, according to police radio traffic.
Palestinian immigrant father, 26, was shot dead in liquor store over minor argument
Milwaukee, WI — At 26, Jamil Owais had a new wife, a 6-month-old daughter and business plans. Nine years since immigrating to the U.S. from the Palestinian territory of the West Bank, Owais was making a life for himself. Saturday morning in his brother’s liquor store, a gunman quickly ended that life, his family said. The loss has devastated his large family and the broader Milwaukee Arab community. Owais’ brother, Mohammad Owais, asked him to watch the store for a half-hour, according to their uncle, Abdelnaser Al-Hasan, a mathematics professor in South Carolina. Al-Hasan said a stranger walked into the store, Action Food and Liquor at 3455 North King Drive on Milwaukee’s north side, and got into some kind of “very, very small, common argument” with Owais. Then the man took out a gun and shot Owais in the chest, killing him.
Oklahoma City store clerk found dead by customer
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — In what was originally reported as an armed robbery, Oklahoma City police said a woman working at a convenience store was killed Friday morning. Police officials said the woman, 18-year old Jaedynn Anthony, was working overnight at the store near Wilshire Boulevard and Council Road, and more than 12 hours after they responded to the area, it remained closed with crime scene tape still visible. Police officials said they were called to the scene just before 3 a.m. KOCO 5 learned they were called to an armed robbery, but now police won’t confirm what exactly happened leading up to the woman’s killing. Customers said they said the woman working alone just hours before the store turned into a crime scene.
Illinois State Police Officer Killed in On-Duty Crash
Champaign County, IL — An Illinois State Police trooper was killed Friday afternoon when he was involved in a crash while working traffic duty on a motorcycle. Trooper Corey Thompsen, 28, was in Champaign County finishing a traffic enforcement detail when his motorcycle was hit by a truck at an intersection. He was rushed to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.
59-year-old man dies after falling from boom truck in Janesville
JANESVILLE, Wis. — A 59-year-old Milton man is dead after falling from a boom truck in Janesville. Deputies from the Rock County Sheriff’s Office were called to the scene Saturday, Oct. 19, just after 10 a.m. The Rock Energy Cooperative was reportedly having an employee appreciation day. During a demonstration of the boom truck, two people fell 10 feet while the boom was extended on one of the trucks. Both the 59-year-old man and a 62-year-old Janesville woman were taken to the hospital, where the man, Timothy Gillitzer, 59, of Milton, later died. The woman is being treated for her injuries.
Sanitation Worker, 23, Was Transferring Trash When He Was Struck, Killed In Bergen County
Bergen County, NJ — Police in Tenafly have released details in the crash that killed a 23-year-old sanitation worker from North Arlington Monday morning, Oct. 21. The garbage truck was parked along the northbound curb of County Road when the vehicle was struck by a northbound tractor-trailer just before 7 a.m., Tenafly Police Capt. Michael deMoncada said. The crash happened just as the 23-year-old worker was transferring garbage into the truck. The impact caused significant injuries to the sanitation worker and he was pronounced dead at the scene, deMoncada said. The driver of the tractor-trailer, a 53-year-old male from Saylorsburg, PA, remained on scene and was cooperating with the investigation. He was transported to Englewood Health Medical Center with minor injuries as a result of the crash. The driver of the garbage truck, a 54-year-old male from North Arlington, and another sanitation employee, a 69-year-old male from Union City, who were also working at the time of the crash, were transported to Englewood Health Medical Center for evaluation.
Assistant fire chief dies after suffering injuries in equipment accident
PERRYTON, Texas (KFDA/Gray News) – An assistant fire chief in Texas has died from his injuries while responding to a structure fire Thursday, according to the fire officials. Scott Glass was the assistant fire chief for Perryton Fire Department. Glass and two other firefighters were injured while setting up equipment, fire hoses and traffic control after a 5-inch soft fire hose being filled with water whipped them. The department updated its Facebook page with the news that Glass had passed away.
Trash truck driver killed in three-vehicle crash on U.S. 22 east of Zanesville
ZANESVILLE, OH − A fatal crash involving three Zanesville residents on U.S 22 Monday is under investigation, according to the Ohio Highway Patrol. The crash involving two commercial vehicles and one passenger vehicle happened around 5:12 p.m., near the intersection of East Pike and Brookside Drive in Muskingum County’s Washington Township. The first car was a westbound Chevy Cruze driven by a 31-year-old Harold Ours IV. The second vehicle was a Kenworth tractor-trailer driven by a Michael Longfellow, 52. The third vehicle was an eastbound Mack trash truck driven by Douglas Wagner, 37. According to the patrol, Longfellow and Ours were traveling in the westbound lanes when Longfellow struck the back of Ours’ vehicle, then traveled left of center and struck Wagner’s vehicle, which was eastbound. Wagner’s truck then traveled off the road and struck a guardrail. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Longfellow was not injured.
Police ID worker killed in payloader accident in Berlin
Berlin, CT — A 66-year-old worker died after an accident involving a payloader in Berlin Tuesday afternoon and police have released his name. The police department said they responded to an industrial accident at a recycling center, CWPM, LLC, on Christian Lane just before 1 p.m. Authorities said a large industrial payloader had struck and seriously injured a worker at the facility. Emergency crews said they tried to resuscitate the worker, but he died at the scene. Police have identified the man as David Dionne, of Waterbury. The Midstate Accident Reconstruction Squad and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are assisting with the investigation.
Wethersfield firefighter battling Berlin brush fire dies in utility vehicle rollover crash
BERLIN, Conn. — A Wethersfield firefighter died after a utility vehicle rollover crash in the woods of Meriden Tuesday, according to Berlin Fire Chief John Massirio. Meriden police identified the Wethersfield firefighter as 66-year-old Robert Sharkevich Sr., who was also a former Hartford firefighter. The crash was reported at 5:35 p.m. at the south end of the Lamentation Mountain where four firefighters were assisting with battling the brush fire, believed to have originated in Berlin, police said. Based on a preliminary investigation, police said they learned that the UTV was driving along a “steep rocky incline” while responding to the brush fire when it rolled over onto Sharkevich.
TRUCK DRIVER KILLED NEAR SIKESTON IN TRAILER-BUS ACCIDENT
SIKESTON, Mo. — A truck driver was fatally injured Monday afternoon in a collision between a tractor-trailer truck and a bus south of the intersection of Interstate 55 and Interstate 57. The driver’s identity was not immediately known. A Missouri Highway Patrol spokesman said he did not know the extent of injuries on the bus. The driver’s identity was not immediately known. A Missouri Highway Patrol spokesman said he did not know the extent of injuries on the bus. The accident occurred about 4:30 p.m.
Dump truck driver killed in Poweshiek County crash
POWESHIEK COUNTY, Iowa — A dump truck driver was killed Wednesday morning in a single-vehicle crash in Poweshiek County. According to the Iowa State Patrol, 52-year-old Christopher Hudnut, of Logan, was driving a dump truck loaded with gravel westbound on Highway 85 when the truck had a tire failure. Hudnut lost control of the truck and it went into the ditch. The crash happened just before 11:30 a.m. The ISP says Hudnut was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected during the wreck, sustaining fatal injuries.
Malcom Hix Killed in Semi-Truck Accident in Independence County, AR
Independence County, AR — October 22, 2024, Malcom Hix was killed as the result of a semi-truck accident at around 4:39 a.m. along Highway 69. The Arkansas Department of Public Safety reported that the crash happened in the area of Magness and Newark near Omp Feed Mill. According to state police, 49-year-old Malcom Hix was the driver of a Kenworth semi-truck going southbound along Highway 69. Up ahead, it appears a Peterbilt semi was making a left turn out of a private drive to go northbound. Hix’s truck crashed into the Peterbilt as it was turning. Due to the collision, Malcom Hix was killed. No other injuries were reported. At this time, it’s unclear if authorities are considering charges or citations. Factors surrounding the accident remain under investigation.
Construction worker struck by excavator, dies in Lowell
LOWELL, Ind. — A construction worker died Tuesday after getting struck by an excavator in Lowell. Authorities were dispatched to a new subdivision development called Kingston Ridge on the report of a person in a trench with cardiac arrest. At the scene, the Lowell Fire Department discovered that the person, later identified as Zachary Brown, 26, of Wannatah, was not trapped in a trench, but was struck by an excavator. Brown died as a result of their injuries. Lowell police and the Lake County Coroner’s Office are leading the investigation.
Man killed after excavator tips over in Stowe Township
PITTSBURGH, PA — A man died after being struck by the bucket of an excavator as it tipped over in Stowe Township on Tuesday, authorities said. In a news release, the Allegheny County Police Department said officers were called to Robinson Boulevard in Stowe Township around 11:30 a.m. for reports of a machine tipping over onto a man. First responders found a 52-year-old man dead at the scene, county police said. An investigation found the excavator’s bucket hit and killed the 52-year-old man as it tipped over. Officials said no foul play was suspected, and the investigation was turned over to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Allegheny County medical examiner identified him as 52-year-old Jason James Shields.
Log truck driver killed on Hwy. 74
Monroe County, FL — A Florida log truck driver was killed on Friday when he lost control of his tractor-trailer while trying to take a curve on Hwy. 74. David Kebreau, 46, of Davie, Fla., was going east on Hwy. 74 near Davis Road when he lost control and overturned, landing upside down and sending his logs tumbling to the shoulder. Monroe County EMS found Kebreau inside the cab without a pulse, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Coroner Joey Proctor said the medical examiner told him Kebreau died of multiple blunt force trauma.
Deputy killed, suspect dead after kidnapping leads to shootout
SHELDON, Ill. (WICS) — On September 7, the Iroquois County Sheriff’s Department, Illinois State Police, Newton County Indiana Sheriff’s Department and the Kentland Indiana Police Department responded to the report of an alleged kidnapping in progress regarding a vehicle driven by a suspect named Andrew Roselius, 37, of Ashkum, Illinois. The suspect vehicle was identified in rural Iroquois County and an attempt was made by law enforcement to stop the vehicle. Once stopped, the vehicle driven by Andrew Roselius was surrounded by law enforcement. It was reported that Mr. Roselius was armed and suicidal. A confrontation occurred between law enforcement and Mr. Roselius while he was seated in his vehicle. After repeated requests by law enforcement for Mr. Roselius to show his hands and to leave his vehicle, Mr. Roselius displayed a revolver and fired one shot which struck a Newton County Indiana Deputy in the head which left him critically wounded. As a result of the shot, an Iroquois County Deputy returned fire by striking Mr. Roselius in the head. Roselius was pronounced dead at the scene.
Former NYPD officer dies from 9/11-related illness
NEW YORK — A former NYPD officer has died from an illness that resulted from his service at Ground Zero following the 9/11 terror attacks, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. Detective Clarence E. Word, III, 53, died Oct. 1 after a battle with cancer, according to the page. Word had served with the NYPD for 20 years and later served with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. He is survived by his wife, daughter, son, mother, two brothers and a sister, according to the page.
Police release name of employee killed in industrial accident at South Salt Lake business
SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah — An employee at a South Salt Lake company was killed Friday in what officials are calling an industrial accident. The victim, 37-year-old Christopher Kilpack, was killed while on a job site at a location in the area of 3600 South 500 West. South Salt Lake Police tell FOX 13 News that Kilpack was securing tree logs in the area when a strap was removed from the load. A large log that was previously secured fell on him. South Salt Lake police and Utah Occupational Safety and Health are currently investigating the incident.
Bar owner killed, employee injured in N. Houston shooting
HOUSTON, TX – A bar owner was killed, and an employee was injured in a shooting in North Houston. It happened outside a bar along the North Freeway near Coronado Street at about 2:45 a.m. Sunday. Police said the owner and employee heard a fight outside the bar and went to check it out, before someone shot them. The owner was killed. It’s unclear who shot them.
Man dead after forklift overturns in West End
CINCINNATI, OH — A man has died after a forklift accident early Monday morning in the West End, according to Cincinnati police. It happened on Depot Street. Officers say a man was driving the forklift when it is believed it turned over on him. Police did not identify the man, but did say he was a white man in his 70s.
Construction worker hit, killed by excavator
SAN DIEGO, CA — A construction worker was killed by an excavator Sunday in the Bay Park neighborhood, authorities said. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. in the 1900 block of Morena Boulevard, according to the San Diego Police Department. A 40-year-old man, identified as Cesar Xavier Abarca Carillo, was working at a construction site when he was struck by an excavator, the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office said on its website. Abarca Carillo was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. An excavator is a large piece of machinery usually used for digging and moving materials.
Truck driver killed, other critically injured after major crash in north suburbs
Carpentersville, IL– Two semis were involved in a crash in Carpentersville on Route 31 near Miller Road at about 7:39 a.m. The driver of a Freightliner semi hauling sand was heading eastbound on Miller Road approaching Route 31, according to the Kane County Sheriff’s Office. Meanwhile the driver of a Mack semi, was driving southbound on Route 31. The driver of the Freightliner semi allegedly did not stop at the stop sign to wait for vehicles to pass at the intersection, the sheriff’s office said. Unable to stop in time, both semi’s crashed at the intersection. The sheriff’s office said the driver of the Freightliner semi was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the cab. The driver of the Freightliner died at the scene.
Dump truck driver killed in Brandywine crash identified
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) — Police in Prince George’s County have released the name of the dump truck driver who died from injuries he sustained in a crash on Monday. Police identified the driver as 76-year-old Frederick Hand, of Prince Frederick. There, they found Hand injured. Responders took him to the hospital, where he died. PGPD’s investigation revealed that Hand was driving north on Cedarville Road when his dump truck veered off the road. That’s when the truck crashed into multiple trees, according to police.
Photographer dies after reportedly backing into plane propeller while snapping photos
Sedwick County, KS — A Kansas photographer died after reportedly getting caught in a plane propeller while doing her job on Saturday. Deputies with the Sedwick County Sheriff’s Office responded to Air Capital Drop Zone, a skydiving center, following an accident involving 37-year-old Amanda Gallagher. According to authorities, the Wichita native “made contact with a grounded and stationary, but still running plane.” Gallagher reportedly stepped into the ‘spinning propeller’ “For unknown reasons … she moved in front of the wing, a violation of basic safety procedures,” the skydiving center explained to the outlet. “With her camera up to shoot photos as she did so, she stepped back slightly moving toward and into the spinning propeller.”
Man killed during armed robbery in Kings Mountain
Kings Mountain, NC — A Loomis Fargo employee was shot and killed in Kings Mountain Wednesday morning while he was in the process of servicing an ATM, according to Kings Mountain Police. A cavalcade of police and emergency vehicles swarmed the scene at East Kings Street near Prescriptions Plus around 9 a.m., and the door of the ATM, located near Prescriptions Plus drive-thru, remained open. The white Loomis van was parked beside it.
Driver charged after striking, killing construction worker in Brooklyn
BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, Brooklyn, NY (WABC) — The driver behind the wheel of a vehicle that killed a construction worker in Brooklyn has been charged. Clyde Mercury, 36, was charged with criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, reckless driving and failure to exercise due care. Police say the 37-year-old victim was killed after being struck by a Ford Transit that was traveling westbound on Myrtle Avenue between Walworth and Sandford streets in Bedford-Stuyvesant just before 2 p.m. Tuesday. Video shows the white van drive through the intersection and plow into the worker, apparently pinning him to another car. The victim was seen wearing reflective gear, standing behind traffic cones and holding a flag to direct traffic away from a construction site at the location. Paramedics rushed to the scene but were unable to save the worker’s life. He was taken to Woodhull Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Witnesses say the white van was going too fast and was trying to pass a truck without the space or right of way to do so.