2023 MIOSHA Fatality Information

Use the information in this table to build hazard awareness and prevent risk for similar occurrences in your workplace. This table shares preliminary details about many of the fatalities reported to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration. These descriptions reflect information provided to MIOSHA at the initial report of the incident and are not the result of the official MIOSHA investigation.

When available, MIFACE Summaries of MIOSHA Inspections will be included at the end of the description.

FATALITY NUMBER	DATE	OCCUPATION	AGE	TYPE OF INCIDENT	DESCRIPTION	INCIDENT LOCATION (CITY)
1.	1/4/23	Truck Driver	57	Struck by	On January 4, 2023, a 57-year-old truck driver was making a delivery in a concrete truck which became stuck at the jobsite. A contractor used a bulldozer with a tow cable to pull the concrete truck out. The hitch pin on the bulldozer failed causing the tow cable to whip through the windshield of the concrete truck fatally striking the victim.	Rogers City
2.	1/23/23	Truck Driver	54	Struck by	On January 23, 2023, a 54-year-old truck driver was kneeling over a single-piece rim wheel and tire assembly that was lying flat on the ground. While inflating the tire, the sidewall burst, and the assembly shot up fatally striking the victim.	Detroit
3.	2/22/23	Firefighter	28	Shock	On February 22, 2023, a 28-year-old firefighter had responded to a call for a broken tree branch that was hanging on a power line. After the fire department secured the scene, a different power line broke and struck the victim. He was knocked down and electrocuted.	Paw Paw
4.	3/3/2023	Road Maintenance Employee	58	Struck by	On March 3, 2023, a 58-year-old Van Buren County road worker was part of a four-man crew performing road repair work. The victim was performing traffic control when he was struck by a commuter vehicle.	Arlington Township
5.	3/30/2023	Truck Driver	34	Struck by	On March 30, 2023, a 34-year-old truck driver was on route performing trash collection. The victim had exited the garbage truck and was placing a garbage hopper into the hopper lift. He proceeded to the right side of the truck to operate the hopper controls with his back to the road when an oncoming commuter vehicle struck the garbage truck from the rear fatally striking the victim.	Petosky
6.	4/2/2023	Emergency Medical Technician	39	Struck by	On April 2, 2023, a 39-year-old emergency medical technician was driving an ambulance on I-75 when he came upon a vehicle that crashed into a viaduct wall near an exit ramp. When the victim exited the ambulance to assist the driver, he was fatally struck by an oncoming vehicle, which also fatally struck the driver of the crashed vehicle.	Hamtramck
7.	4/4/2023	Electrical Maintenance Journeyman	61	Struck by	On April 4, 2023, a 61-year-old electrical maintenance journeyman, part of multi-person crew, was struck by a radiator assembly during the dismantlement of a transformer at an electrical substation.	Clarkston
8.	4/18/2023	Warehouse Worker	19	Caught in or between	On April 18, 2023, a 19-year-old warehouse worker and another employee were attempting to change the bucket on a Bobcat backhoe. The victim was attempting to remove a pin from the bucket while the coworker was operating the Bobcat. The victim was fatally crushed after being caught between the bucket and a bollard.	Jenison
9.	4/24/2023	Laborer	35	Struck by	On April 24, 2023, a 35-year-old laborer and his employer arrived at a private residence to perform a tree trimming job. The bucket truck became stuck, so the crew attached a rope to the front axle of the dump truck and the tie down on the skid steer's bucket. The rope snapped and struck the victim, who was operating the skid steer, in the chest.	Port Sanilac
10.	4/24/2023	Production Technician	24	Caught in or between	On April 24, 2023, a 24-year-old production technician was heating a finished part to remove oils when the next cycle of a vacuum forming mode began. The victim was caught between an extended conveyor and vacuum forming mold, crushing him.	Lansing
11.	4/18/2023	Laborer/roofer	24	Fall (from elevation)	On March 15, 2023, a 24-year-old laborer/roofer was performing roofing operation on a flat roof near a skylight. The victim fell 20 feet through the skylight and landed on the concrete floor below. The victim was admitted to the hospital on March 15, 2023 and succumbed to their injuries on April 18, 2023	Detroit
12.	4/25/2023	Mechanic	57	Struck by	On April 25, 2023, a 57-year-old mechanic was mounting two tires for a trailer. The victim took one of the tires outside the shop and placed it on the ground to inflate using pneumatic air compressor, set at approximately 150 psi (pounds per square inch). The tire exploded and struck the victim in the head.	Negaunee
13.	2/21/2023	Owner	60	Inhalation	On February 21, 2023, a 60-year-old owner was found on the workshop floor, unresponsive. During the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) response, individuals on site began to feel ill and the fire department found carbon monoxide levels ranging from 500 to 800 parts-per-million (ppm). Vehicle exhaust fumes exposed the victim to carbon monoxide which caused carbon monoxide poisoning.	Canton
14.	5/25/2023	Traffic flagger	70	Struck by	On May 25, 2023 a 70-year-old traffic flagger was fatally hit by a car while regulating traffic at a road construction project.	Webberville
15.	6/15/2023	Demolition Laborer	33	Struck by	On June 15, 2023, a 33-year-old demolition laborer was demolishing a cooling tower located on the roof of a building with an angle grinder. The worker cut away one angle iron and was cutting a second angle when the cooling tower started to fall. The worker ran towards the cooling tower when it fell on them.	Detroit
16.	6/21/2023	Laborer	53	Fall (from elevation)	On June 21, 2023, a 53-year-old laborer was performing fire-proofing activities to structural steel while wearing fall protection, but not physically tied-off to an anchorage point. During the work operation, the victim fell approximately 18 feet to the concrete below.	Dearborn
17.	6/24/2023	Journeyman Lineman	30	Shock	On June 24, 2023, a 30-year-old journeyman lineman was performing maintenance operations to powerline(s). During the operation the victim was electrocuted.	Lincoln Park
18.	7/10/2023	General Laborer	75	Caught in or between	On July 10, 2023, a 75-year-old general laborer was operating a riding lawn mower and it flipped over a retention wall.	Fennville
19.	7/10/2023	Truck Driver	41	Struck by	On July 10, 2023, a 41-year-old truck driver was adjusting the tie downs on a tractor trailer near the side of the road when the victim was struck by a pedestrian vehicle.	Saint Ignace
20.	6/28/2023	Tree Trimmer	37	Struck by	On June 28, 2023, a 38-year-old tree trimmer was performing trimming operations when he was struck and killed by a falling tree.	Battle Creek
21.	7/24/2023	Owner	42	Fall (from elevation)	On July 24, 2023, a 42-year-old owner was contracted to perform roof repair on a barn. The victim had removed a sheet off of the roof and fell through the opening 30-35 feet to the concrete floor below.	Clayton
22.	8/31/2023	Tree Trimmer	31	Shock	On August 31, 2023, while aloft trimming a tree limb, a 31-year-old tree trimmer contacted with a live overhead power line. The employee was pronounced dead at the scene.	Lansing
23.	9/16/2023	Pipefitter	41	Struck by	On September 15, 2023, a 41-year-old pipefitter was pressure testing a pipe when a valve came off the pipe and struck him in the head. The victim was hospitalized and succumbed to his injuries on September 16, 2023.	Holland
24.	9/19/2023	Grounds Worker	59	Struck by	On September 19, 2023, a 59-year-old grounds worker was operating a zero turn riding lawn mower. A witness stated they observed the victim drive straight off an approximate 4-foot embankment and onto the cement. The victim was killed when the lawn mower landed on them.	Grand Rapids
25.	7/13/2023	Owner/Tree Trimmer	67	Fall (from elevation)	On July 13, 2023, a 69-year-old owner was trimming tree limbs in a bucket truck and fell approximately 30 feet.	Saginaw
26.	2/7/2023	Plumber	62	Shock	On February 7, 2023, a 62-year-old plumber and the owner of a management company arrived at a residential apartment building to unclog a floor drain in the basement that had approximately two feet of standing water. The victim brought an electric drain snake into the basement to clear the drain. However, there was no available power source. There was an available electrical outlet on the second floor of the complex, so the victim and the management company owner then connected extension cords to power the drain snake. The victim was in the basement, and the management company owner plugged in the extension cord on the second floor. The electric drain snake ran for approximately two minutes when the victim was heard falling and calling out for the management company owner. The management company owner ran down the stairs but stopped when the victim told him no. The management company owner contacted Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and could no longer hear the victim. First responders could not enter the basement until the utility company could confirm the basement was safe for entry. First responders entered the basement, removed the victim, attempted resuscitation, and transported the victim to a local hospital where they were pronounced deceased.	Detroit
27.	6/6/2023	Laborer-Gutter Technician	23	Fall (from Elevation)	On June 6, 2023, a 23-year-old laborer-gutter technician installing gutters from an extension ladder at a job site. A coworker witnessed the victim's eyes roll backwards before losing consciousness and falling approximately 20 feet from the ladder onto the concrete below.	Beulah
28.	10/28/2023	Owner	51	Struck by	On October 28, 2023, a 51-year-old owner of a tree service company, the victim, was performing tree trimming work. The victim was cutting a down a large tree in sections. When the last section of the tree was cut it fell, fatally striking the victim.	Saginaw
29.	10/30/2023	Truck Driver	29	Struck by	On October 30, 2023, a 29-year-old truck driver was delivering pre-cast concrete wall panels. The victim was unloading the last load when the panels fell off the trailer crushing the victim.	Metamora
30.	10/30/2023	Assistant Terminal Manager	50	Struck by	On October 26, 2023, 50-year-old assistant terminal manager and a coworker were performing a rail ship audit. The coworker was driving vehicles onto a railcar while the victim assisted. The victim was pinned between a stationary vehicle and a moving vehicle on the railcar. Emergency medical services was contacted, and the victim was transported to a hospital with internal injuries. On October 30, 2023, the employer received notification that the victim had passed as a result of the injuries.	Sterling Heights
31.	11/04/23	Tow Truck Driver	25	Struck by	On November 4, 2023, a 25-year-old tow truck driver was heading West on M-6 transporting two vehicles to another location. There were reports of a dog running in the highway. Victim had spotted the dog and stopped the tow truck on the shoulder to attempt to catch the dog. A passing vehicle lost control and struck the victim.	Grand Rapids
32.	5/30/2023	Laborer/Painter	39	Fall	On May 28, 2023, a 39-year-old painter was performing painting operations at a manufacturing facility. An employee working nearby heard a noise and found the victim lying on the ground. The victim was transported to the hospital and was placed on life support. On May 30, 2023, the victim died as a result of the injuries.	Lapeer
33.	12/7/2023	Driver	54	Struck by	On December 7, 2023, a 54-year- old driver was dumping refuse (truck #1). While truck #1 was parked, a second truck (truck #2) was dumping refuse adjacent to truck #1. During the refuse dumping process, the bed of truck #2, tipped over onto truck #1, while the victim was inside.	Riverview
34.	4/11/2023	Asbestos Worker	63	Inhalation	During the months of February and March 2023, a 63-year-old asbestos worker was performing mold and asbestos remediation at a paper mill where there was an outbreak of blastomycosis. On or about March 30, 2023, victim tested positive for blastomycosis and died due to complications on April 11, 2023.	Escanaba
35.	10/12/2023	Laborer	44	Fall (from Elevation)	On October 4, 2023, a 44-year-old laborer was found lying on the ground next to a potato piler. The employee was working alone. The employee may have fallen from the potato piler or was struck by the piler. On October 12, 2023, the victim died as a result of the injuries.	Sturgis
36.	8/20/2023	Maintenance Worker	61	Other	On August 10, 2023, a 61-year-old maintenance worker was performing normal work duties. On Friday August 11, the victim called into work sick. On Sunday August 13, the employee was admitted into the hospital and died Sunday August 20 as a result of Legionnaires Disease.	Lexington

There were 45 MIOSHA-related deaths in 2022. 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 and 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.

Every life is precious. Our mutual goal must be that every employee goes home at the end of every shift unharmed.

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2023 MIOSHA Fatality Information

FATALITY NUMBER

DATE

OCCUPATION

AGE

TYPE OF INCIDENT

DESCRIPTION

INCIDENT LOCATION (CITY)