Worker Killed by Filing Cabinet, One of Many Killed on Job Recently

Safety at Work

Jackson, MI (WorkersCompensation.com) - A 46-year-old student support specialist died after being struck by a metal filing cabinet that fell, one of several workers killed at work recently

Officials with the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) said emergency services were called to a school district in Jackson, Michigan to help the employee who was working at the time. The employee was pronounced dead at the scene, however.

An autopsy found that the worker died of traumatic chest asphyxia or chest compression, from the file cabinet. Officials said it was the 11th worker death in Michigan this year.

Another employee working at a school was killed last week.

Officials at Potterville High School said a construction worker died after equipment fell on him and another construction work.

The construction workers were working on a gymnasium addition project at the high school. The two employees were placing “steel decking” on top of steel trusses over a gym at the high school when about half a dozen trusses fell 40 feet, hitting two male workers. One of the workers later died of his injuries.

Clark Construction Company, the construction manager for the site, said it was cooperating with authorities and MIOSHA.

“We are heartbroken to confirm that one of the workers injured during Monday’s incident at the Potterville High School construction site has passed away,” Robert LaLonde, President of Clark Construction Company, told 6 News. “Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and all those impacted by this tragic loss. The second individual remains hospitalized, and we are respecting the privacy of those involved.”

In Clearwater, Fla., one worker died, and another was injured after a “construction-related” incident at a new Publix.

Officials with the Clearwater Police Department said they responded to a report of an accident last Monday around 4:55 p.m.

Police said the two workers suffered serious injuries after a scissor lift collapsed. Both of the workers were taken to nearby hospitals and treated for their injuries. One of the patients later died less than an hour after arriving at Morton-Plant Hospital. The other worker was reported to have been taken to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Officials said OSHA was notified and will be investigating. The details surrounding the incident were not immediately released.

In Mabank, Texas, a construction worker died when a trench collapsed on him.

Mabank Police Department officials said officers, along with fire and rescue workers, were dispatched to a call for a worker trapped in a trench collapse. Rescue crews were able to get the man out of the trench, and he was taken to Gun Barrel City Hospital.

Officials identified the man as Abraham Gomez Cruz, 38, of Hutchins. He later died at the hospital. OSHA said it would be investigating the incident.

In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a construction worker was killed when he was hit by an industrial vehicle.

Officials with Cedar Rapids Police Department said they were called to the construction site for reports of an industrial accident. When they arrived, they found the injured worker and declared them dead at the scene. Authorities said the victim was hit by a large piece of road construction equipment. The victim’s name was not released.

In Ann Arbor, Michigan, a construction worker was killed when a gravel truck tipped over.

Officials said the 48-year-old Taylor man was declared dead on the scene around 2:30 on June 19. Chris Page, spokesperson for the Ann Arbor Police Department said emergency responders had been called to the scene for a report of an accident.

The cab of the truck had extensive damage, and the victim was found inside the cab.

Officials said the area is undergoing an $8.6 million construction project replacing a water main and upgrading transportation infrastructure. Officials said the death is still under investigation.

It was the fourth work-related injury or death in Washtenaw and Livingston counties this year, and the second this month. Previously, a 47-year-old man died on June 16 when the tire of his dump truck blew while he was driving, causing him to lose control and run off the road. The truck hit a tree. Gary Nikkila, 64, was hit on April 15 while he was reconnecting the front trailer of his gravel hauler to the rear trailer. And two men were critically injured on June 6 in Livingston County when a concrete spreader hit a power line causing it to break and fall., the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.

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