Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

Today at 5:04 PM

The 3rd & 4th Michigan worker deaths of 2015 occurred on April 15 & 18, 2015. Employers and employees are urged to
use extreme care and safety diligence in all work activities.
Summary of incident #3: On April 15, 2015, at approximately 3:30 p.m., a 49 year old laborer was aloft in the base of a
tree trunk where the two sections meet up (tree crotch) removing a trunk section. The trunk section kicked back after
being cut, striking the employee resulting in fatal injuries.
Summary of incident #4: On April 18, 2015, at approximately 12 p.m., a 41 year old shipping coordinator was directing
trucks into the loading bay where trucks drive into and out of to be loaded with steel. After directing one truck into the
bay to be loaded, the employee was waving another up into position when the truck that just entered backed up striking
the employee and crushing her.
There were 37 MIOSHA-related deaths in 2014. 2009 saw the lowest number with 24.
If you need help or assistance in ensuring your workplace is safe, MIOSHA is here with resources to help. The
Consultation Education & Training (CET) Division provides workplace safety and health training and consultations to
employers and employees throughout Michigan free of charge. Contact CET today at 800-866-4674 or submit a request
online at www.michigan.gov/cetrca.
Every life is precious. Our mutual goal must be that every employee goes home at the end of their shift every day!

Fatality
Number

Date

Occupation Age

Shipping
Coordinator

Type of
Injury

4.

04/18/15

41 Struck By

3.

04/15/15 Laborer

49 Struck By

2.

Crane
03/20/15 Operator
Trainee

61 Struck By

Description
A 41 year old shipping coordinator was directing
trucks into the loading bay where trucks drive into
and out of to be loaded with steel. After directing one
truck into the bay to be loaded, the employee was
waving another up into position when the truck that
just entered backed up striking the employee and
crushing her.
A 49 year old laborer was aloft in the base of a tree
trunk where the two sections meet up (tree crotch)
removing a trunk section. The trunk section kicked
back after being cut, striking the employee resulting
in fatal injuries.
A 61 year old was fatally injured after being struck in
the head by a 9,400 pound bundle of steel round stock
he was moving with an overhead crane.

Location
(City)

Ecorse

Oakland
Township

Warren

1.

01/15/15

Sheet Metal
Worker

A 37 year old sheet metal worker was in the process

of torch cutting and welding when it is believed he
had ignited the flame-retardant insulation between the
hopper and building structure. The fire traveled up
the 65-foot tall structure trapping the sheet metal
worker inside the hopper. Fire-Fighters were able to
Severe Smoke
extricate him, but he had sustained burns to his head
Inhalation &
Farmington
37
and severe burns to his hand and wrist in addition to
3rd Degree
Hills
smoke inhalation. The sheet metal worker, one other
Burns
employee, four sub-contractor employees, and two
fire-fighters were transported to area hospitals. All
but the sheet metal worker and one other employee
were observed and released. The sheet metal worker
succumbed to his injuries as a result of the fire on
January 15, 2015.

Use the information in this table to build hazard awareness and prevent risk for similar occurrences in your
workplace. This table sharespreliminary details about many of the fatalities reported to the Michigan Occupational
Safety and Health Administration.

"Work Safe... Be Safe!"