Here are how some workers were killed on the job last week: decapitated by glass, crushed by machinery, electrocuted, falls, tree care, vehicle incidents and shootings. 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.
Man dies after glass crushes his neck at work in Pompano Beach
POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – A few thousand pounds of glass crushed a man’s neck killing him while at work on Friday afternoon in Pompano Beach, according to fire rescue. Pompano Beach Fire Rescue personnel and Broward County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the “possible decapitation” and found the man dead. There was crime scene tape blocking an entrance at a warehouse’s loading dock at 1350 Park Central Boulevard — home to a window installation service. BSO deputies walked in and out of an entrance at the loading dock 17. They were near several industrial A-frames that are usually used for the vertical storage and transport of glass. Deputies said the man’s death did not involve foul play. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration “strongly encourages” employers to investigate worksite fatalities to identify a shortcoming, “why it existed” and ”implement the corrective actions necessary to prevent future incidents.”
Machine operator dies in work accident in Comstock Park
COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. — A machine operator was killed in a work accident in Comstock Park earlier this month, according to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The incident happened May 20. The 71-year-old worker was cutting steel bands that were securing metal tubing. When the steel bands were cut, the tubing hit the worker’s legs and caused them to fall and hit their head. The worker was taken to a hospital and placed on life support. They later died from their injuries on May 24.
Unidentified Worker Electrocuted
Jacksonville, IL — Jacksonville police and EMS personnel responded to a report of a man electrocuted at the electric substation on East Morton about 1:30 this afternoon. Police say they were called to the Ameren Substation at 801 East Morton where a worker suffered significant injuries where he was electrocuted. The ambulance was called, the unidentified man was treated at the scene, and then taken to Jacksonville Memorial Hospital for further treatment. No other details are available.
19-year-old construction worker killed at Eagle Mountain site
EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah — A construction worker was killed in an accident involving a piece of heavy machinery at an Eagle Mountain site on Tuesday. The worker hasn’t been identified, but officials shared that he was 19 years old. According to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, the accident happened at 2:30 p.m. at the site on Blackbird Drive. The 19-year-old worker jumped into a trench and wasn’t spotted by the worker inside an excavator. A spotter for the operator allegedly tried to warn them of the worker in the trench, but was unable to in time. The worker was hit in the head by the machinery and died on the scene.
Construction worker dies after fall from elevated platform in Ellendale
ELLENDALE, Del. – A man is dead after falling from a raised platform at a construction site in the 12000 block of Rosedale Court Tuesday afternoon. The Ellendale Volunteer Fire Company and Delaware State Police responded to the site around 4:30 p.m. on May 27. According to a preliminary investigation, the 41-year-old man fell from a wooden box platform that was lifted approximately 10 to 30 feet off the ground by a forklift. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Delaware State Police said the investigation is ongoing.
Falling tree kills lawn service worker as thunderstorm blew through SW Ocala
Ocala, FL — A lawn service worker was killed by a falling tree branch during a storm in Ocala, Florida. The victim and a colleague sought shelter from the storm when a portion of a large oak tree fell. A portion of a large tree fell during a storm the afternoon of May 29, killing a lawn service worker. According to Ocala Police Department officials on scene, the victim and another man were in the business parking lot when rain was falling and the storm was blowing through. They decided to seek shelter and went in different directions. Later on May 29, Ocala Police identified the victim as Hunter Parks, who worked for Grandview Landscaping Services.
71-year-old who died trying to stop rolling tractor-trailer in Beaver County identified
ROCHESTER TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Authorities have identified the 71-year-old man who was killed after attempting to stop a tractor-trailer from rolling away in Rochester Township, Beaver County. According to officials, Gene Bores died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head, neck and pelvis. His death has been ruled accidental. The Beaver Valley Regional police chief told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 contractors were off-loading a trailer at the Sherwin-Williams plant on Cleveland Street when their truck began to roll away. Officials said that as contractors attempted to stop the vehicle, Bores was hit and pulled underneath the tires of the truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said the truck was not placed in park at the time of the accident. They also said the brakes of the vehicle were checked and did not show any signs of damage or further issues.
Investigation underway after Hudson County sheriff’s officer dies after fall in Jersey City
JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (WABC) — Officials are investigating the death of a Hudson County sheriff’s officer who fell from a building in Jersey City on Friday morning. The incident occurred at the Hudson County Administration Building, located at 595 Newark Ave., shortly before 9:30 a.m. First responders located the injured officer along the exterior of the building on Central Avenue. Based on a preliminary investigation, officials say the officer, identified as 29-year-old Justin Rivera, fell from a ninth-floor window, and say his death appears to be an accident.
“I was walking around the corner and I heard glass break and then the man came straight down and just hit the ground with a thud,” one witness said. “Then we saw two guys from the window look out…and then all the cops just rushed in.” Employees say the Hudson County sheriff’s officer was in the building on the ninth floor, along with at least two others when he somehow fell from the window.
Subcontractor death at Norfolk shipyard Thursday morning
NORFOLK, Va. – A subcontractor died at General Dynamics NASSCO-Norfolk Thursday morning, a spokesperson for General Dynamics confirmed to WAVY. He said there are no safety concerns for the public and provided this statement: “We can confirm that a subcontracted employee has passed away in the NASSCO-Norfolk shipyard, following an apparent personal health issue. Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and loved ones.” The only other information provided is that it was a male employee. There are no other details at this time.
NYSDOT worker dies in Pittstown crash, sparking calls for highway safety reforms
Albany, NY (WRGB) — A New York State Department of Transportation worker has died after a tragic work zone crash in Pittstown, prompting renewed calls for increased highway safety measures. Robert Bornt, a DOT Highway Maintenance Supervisor, was fatally struck in a work zone crash while working along a roadway. Bornt was also the Hoosick Falls Fire Chief. The NYSDOT is mourning the loss of Bornt who was a 22-year veteran of the department.
Police Investigating Fatal Fall at Ellendale Construction Site
ELLENDALE, DE – The Delaware State Police are investigating the death of a 41-year-old man at an Ellendale construction site on Tuesday. Investigators say they were called to a home under construction on Rosedale Court just before 4:45 p.m. on May 27 on reports of an industrial accident. Police say the victim had fallen about 10 to 30 feet from an unsecured wooden box platform raised by a forklift. The 41-year-old man died at the scene. His identity has currently not been released. Delaware State Police say their investigation into this incident is ongoing.
Man dies in bucket lift incident while working in Bloomington
Bloomington, MN — The death of a man is under investigation after a work incident in Bloomington on Friday. Bloomington Police Department tells Bring Me The News that a 52-year-old Brooklyn Park man was confirmed dead in a bucket lift around 11:30 a.m. What happened to the man is under investigation, with his cause of death and identity yet to be revealed. Officers and medics responded to a call at 11:33 a.m. for an unresponsive man in the bucket lift — also known as a cherry picker or a boom lift. The 911 caller told police that he was assisting the man in the lift when he “heard a noise from the bucket lift and could no longer see the victim.” “He assumed the male had fallen inside the bucket and was not responding,” police told Bring Me The News. “Bloomington Fire Department personnel were able to reach the male in the bucket lift and determined he was deceased.”
Worker Killed in Slide Accident on Highway 36 Near Grizzly Creek
Grizzly Creek, CA — A worker was killed early Saturday Friday morning in a tragic accident on Highway 36 just south of Grizzly Creek, where an ongoing slide area has posed significant challenges for road crews and travelers alike. According to scanner traffic at 5:34 a.m., Rodrigo Reyna-Sanchez, age 58, was trapped after a tree fell on him at mile marker 15, in the heart of the active slide zone. Emergency units from Carlotta Fire, Bridgeville Fire, Eel River Technical Rescue, and City Ambulance Rescue were dispatched, but incoming units were later cancelled at 5:49 a.m. when Chief 7206 confirmed that this was a fatal incident.
Truck driver killed in Death Valley wreck: Brake malfunction likely cause of collision with historic ranger station
Death Valley, CA — A semi-truck crashed into the Emigrant Ranger Station in Death Valley National Park, leading to the death of the driver, at about 2:12 p.m. Tuesday, May 20. The wreck on California Highway 190 was likely caused by a brake malfunction, a spokesperson for the National Park Service said. The truck was destroyed and the wreckage blocked the roadway, authorities said. No other vehicles were involved. National Park Service staff responded to the scene, along with Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol, the Inyo County Coroner and Ten West Towing. They found that diesel fuel and a dry form of sodium sulfate mined in the Searles Valley had spilled onto the roadway.
Worker suffers deadly medical emergency at chemical packaging plant in Dayton
DAYTON, Tenn. — Police in Dayton provided us with more details about a worker at a chemical packaging plant in Rhea County who died while on the job. The accident happened on Tuesday at Hiawassee Packaging. Responding crews began lifesaving measures on the employee, identified as Humberto López López by Lieutenant Steven Rievley of the Dayton Police Department. Mr. Lopez suffered from a medical condition unrelated to his employment. There were no workplace causes and no foul play is suspected. There was no danger to other employees or the community at large. A representative with the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) tells us via email that the agency has contacted Hiawassee Packaging and is gathering information on whether to launch an investigation.
Forestry Employee Dies at Wildland Fire Academy Training in Cumberland County
Shippensburg, PA — Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn released the following statement after the passing of Dave Warfel, Forest District Maintenance Supervisor at Weiser State Forest, at the Wildland Fire Academy at Shippensburg University, following a day spent instructing and mentoring wildland firefighters. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dave Warfel, whose dedication to public service was unwavering throughout his life. Beginning as a volunteer firefighter at a young age, his commitment to protecting communities and our natural resources never wavered. He was a respected and invaluable leader within the wildland firefighting community and made lasting contributions to DCNR through his expertise, professionalism, and leadership. The manner of death will be determined by the Cumberland County coroner.
Police officer, civilian killed, another officer hurt as violence erupts in Baldwin Park
Baldwin Park, CA — A Baldwin Park police officer was killed in a Saturday evening shooting that wounded another officer and left a civilian man dead. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said it was investigating the two homicides after Baldwin Park officers responded to reports of a possible shooting around 7 p.m. Saturday and were met with more gunfire. In the shootout, two officers were struck by gunfire. Both officers were rushed to a hospital — one via airlift — but only one survived. Officer Samuel “Sam” Riveros, 35, was identified Sunday as the officer who died, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He was pronounced dead at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, according to medical examiner’s records. The second officer, Anthony Pimentel, was released from the hospital after treatment, Baldwin Park officials said Sunday.