DECEMBER 19, 2000 - On Nov. 1, 2000, Edmond D. Woods, and Midland Environmental Services, Inc., entered guilty pleas in Gladwin County Circuit Court in connection with the 1994 fatality of their employee, Mickiel Rennenberg.

Today Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services (CIS) Director Kathy Wilbur announced the sentences handed down in Gladwin County Circuit Court against Edmond Woods and Midland Environmental Services, Inc.

Woods received: Five year’s probation, payment of the full statutory fine of $17,500, and 200 hours of community service. The corporation also was required to pay the full fine of $17,500, for a combined total of $35,000. Both Woods and the corporation were also required to abide by all MIOSHA and DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality) laws, and must also abide by all the terms of the MIOSHA Settlement Agreement. The guilty pleas carried a maximum criminal fine of $35,000 combined, and a maximum possible prison term of five years.

"Edmond Woods willfully and recklessly failed to protect his employees. This sentence signals that when appropriate, we will pursue similar actions against employers whose willful violations of workplace safety result in a worker’s death," said Wilbur. "It is imperative that employers vigorously examine their workplace, and make sure they are providing a work environment free from recognized hazards that can result in serious injuries or death."

The CIS Bureau of Safety and Regulation is responsible for administering the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act (MIOSHA).

On Nov. 1, 2000, in Gladwin County Circuit Court, Edmond D. Woods and Midland Environmental Services entered guilty pleas to the following:

* To attempted involuntary manslaughter, on behalf of Woods personally,

* To attempted involuntary manslaughter, on behalf of the Corporation,

* To the charge regarding the MIOSHA Willful Criminal, on behalf of Woods personally,

* To the charge regarding the MIOSHA Willful Criminal, on behalf of the Corporation.

"We hope the circumstances of Mickiel Rennenberg’s needless death will prompt employers to recognize their serious duty to protect their workers," said Wilbur. "Employers have an obligation to create a safe and healthy work environment, and more importantly, to prevent accidents and save lives."

The court-ordered Settlement Agreement will provide MIOSHA with the tools and the ability to closely monitor the company and to help ensure that their employees will be protected. The agreement will compel the company to recognize the importance of workplace safety and health, and will hold them accountable for their actions.

This case is unprecedented because it is the first criminal case in Michigan occupational safety and health regulatory history where an owner and the corporation were held criminally responsible for a workplace fatality. For details on the accident, the criminal investigation, and the prosecution, please see the CIS 11/1/00 press release.

Read more Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services press releases.