|
Each year on April 28, Workers Memorial Day serves as a solemn reminder of the lives lost due to work-related injuries and illnesses. This year, MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman participated in ceremonies to read aloud the names of 31 Michigan workers who died on the job in 2024.
At the Michigan Safety Conference in Lansing, Pickelman joined attendees in a remembrance event, honoring the workers behind the statistics — individuals whose lives were cut short while simply doing their jobs.
“Behind every name is a worker, a family and a community forever changed,” said Pickelman. “On Workers Memorial Day, we remember their stories — and renew our mission to protect Michigan workers through education, outreach and enforcement.”
The reading of names was part of a broader statewide effort to honor fallen workers, support their families and recommit to preventing future tragedies.
 MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman reads the names of Michigan workers lost in 2024 during the Upper Peninsula Safety Conference in Escanaba on April 25, 2025.
Keagan Spencer’s Story: A Reminder of Why We Must Act
Keagan Spencer, a 25-year-old tow truck operator from Hastings was struck and killed in November 2023 while on the shoulder of M-6 near Grand Rapids.
Although his death did not occur in a formal work zone, it highlights the everyday risks roadside workers face. Since the tragedy, Keagan’s family have become passionate advocates for Michigan’s Move Over law, which requires drivers to slow down and move over for stationary emergency, maintenance and service vehicles.
MIOSHA talked with Keagan’s father, Matt Spencer, to share Keagan’s story and raise awareness about protecting roadside workers.
On Workers Memorial Day — and every day — MIOSHA remains committed to preventing workplace tragedies and honoring the workers and families impacted by loss.
 In honor of Workers Memorial Day, watch Keagan’s story — a powerful reminder of why we pause to remember those who didn’t make it home, and why safety must remain a priority every day.
 MIOSHA Construction Safety and Health Division Director Dan Maki speaks at the National Work Zone Awareness Week event at Dow Diamond in Midland on April 28, 2025.
MIOSHA joined transportation safety partners across Michigan in support of National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 21–25, to promote safe driving in and around work zones. This year’s theme, “Respect the zone so we all get home,” underscores the shared responsibility drivers have in preventing crashes that endanger workers, pedestrians and fellow motorists.
On April 28, MIOSHA took part in a statewide media event held at Dow Diamond in Midland alongside Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, officials from the Michigan Department of Transportation, Michigan State Police, American Traffic Safety Services Association Michigan Chapter, Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association and others.
The event honored the memory of fallen road workers and highlighted steps to prevent future tragedies.
MIOSHA Construction Safety and Health Division Director Dan Maki spoke at the event and encouraged both driver responsibility and workplace compliance.
“There are MIOSHA rules that employers and employees must follow to help protect men and women working on road projects,” said Maki. “We encourage people to use MIOSHA as a resource to help keep work zones safe. We’re here to help.”
In 2024, Michigan recorded 6,097 work zone crashes resulting in 16 fatalities, including three road workers. At the Midland event, family members of those joined to honor their loved ones and call on drivers to slow down and stay alert in work zones.
MIOSHA also participated in Go Orange Day on April 23, joining partners statewide in wearing orange to support work zone crews. Staff photos and campaign messages were shared on social media using #GoOrangeDay and #NWZAW.
To learn more about Michigan’s work zone safety initiatives, visit Michigan.gov/WorkZoneSafety. For real-time construction updates, visit Michigan.gov/Drive.
 From left: Art Leman, Dow Chemical value chain manager of road markings; Brian Sarkella, ATSSA Michigan Chapter president and ROWE associate; Lt. Col. Aimee Brimacombe, Michigan State Police chief deputy director; Gregg Brunner, MDOT chief operating officer; Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II; Dan Maki, MIOSHA Construction Safety and Health Division director; and Dawn Gustafson, MDOT Newberry Transportation Service Center Manager
 |
April was National Safe Digging Month — an important reminder for workers, contractors and homeowners across Michigan to protect themselves and their communities by contacting 811 before starting any digging project.
As temperatures rise and excavation projects increase, prioritizing safety is crucial. Underground utility lines — including gas, electric, water and communications — are often located just inches below the surface. Striking a buried line can cause serious injuries, service disruptions and costly repairs.
More than 550 dig-ins occur every day in the United States. Damages to underground infrastructure cost an estimated $30 billion annually, according to the Common Ground Alliance.
Whether using heavy machinery or a handheld shovel, every digging project requires contacting 811 to have underground utilities located and marked. Calling 811 or submitting a request online connects you to your local one-call center, where a professional locator will be dispatched to mark buried lines with paint or flags — free of charge.
MIOSHA encourages employers and workers to recognize safe excavation practices at worksites and at home. Here are six key steps to follow before and during any dig:
-
Always have a valid 811 ticket.
Contact 811 a few business days before every dig — no exceptions. Before starting work, confirm your ticket is valid and includes the correct location, start and end dates, contractor details and project type.
-
Confirm utility responses before digging.
Before breaking ground, review your 811 ticket to ensure all utility companies have responded by marking the site or clearing your ticket. Physically inspect the area for unmarked underground utilities, such as pedestals, manhole covers or meter boxes.
-
Protect utility markings.
Once utilities are marked, it’s your responsibility to preserve flags, stakes and paint markings. If weather or site conditions make the markings unclear, request a remark from 811 before continuing work.
-
Pothole or test dig to expose utilities.
Utility markings are approximate, and congested underground environments can lead to mismarks. To safely verify utility locations, use hand tools or soft-dig methods (such as vacuum excavation) within the “tolerance zone” — the designated safety margin surrounding marked utilities that requires careful, non-mechanical excavation. This is the only way to accurately confirm underground utility locations.
-
Use caution with heavy equipment.
Even after verifying utility locations, exercise extreme caution when operating heavy machinery near buried lines. Backhoes cause the most damage to underground utilities, so operators should designate an observer to help prevent dig-ins.
-
OSHA’s 3 S’s: Slope it. Shore it. Shield it.
Soil is heavy, and trench collapses can be fatal. Always follow trench safety best practices: slope trench walls at a safe angle or bench them in steps; shore trench walls with protective supports; and shield workers using trench boxes. These precautions protect workers inside and around excavations.
Taking the simple step of contacting 811 before digging can prevent injuries, protect critical infrastructure, and save lives.
For more information, visit call811.com or explore MIOSHA’s excavation and trenching resources at Michigan.gov/mioshatrenching.
Safe digging is everyone’s responsibility — know what’s below before you dig.
|
|
 |
MIOSHA will host a free webinar on Thursday, May 29, covering upcoming updates to the Hazard Communication Standards. Attendees will learn about required program elements, upcoming changes and resources to help protect worker health and safety.
Log in information will be shared prior to the event.
April 28, 2025 — MIOSHA Marks 50 Years of Protecting Workers
There have been seven work-related fatalities reported to MIOSHA in 2025. The information below shares preliminary details about the fatalities reported to MIOSHA, which are believed to be covered by the MIOSH Act. The description reflects information provided to MIOSHA at the initial report of the incidents and are not the result of any official MIOSHA investigation.
Preliminary Summaries of the 2025 incidents:
Two cement finishers were grinding and polishing a concrete floor in a customer's pole barn. When the employer had not heard from them by 8:30 p.m., he contacted the homeowner, who found both employees unconscious. The 43-year-old victim was pronounced deceased at the scene, while the second employee was hospitalized in critical condition. The employees had used propane-powered equipment in the enclosed barn without ventilation.
A 42-year-old laborer was pulling a trailer with a side-by-side utility task vehicle (UTV) when the trailer came off the hitch. The trailer’s tongue went underneath the truck causing it to collide with a stationary metal pole. The pole penetrated the cab of the truck fatally injuring the victim.
A 29-year-old roofer was working on a residential roof. The roof of this home was covered with plywood and tarps. The victim went on the roof to remove the tarp. While the victim was cutting the tarp, the victim fell approximately 20 feet onto their head. The victim was found on the ground wearing a harness. The victim was pronounced deceased at the worksite.
A 34-year-old senior foreman pipefitter was performing underground piping when the trench caved in burying the victim. The employee died as a result of the injuries at the worksite.
A 32-year-old roofer was installing a roofing membrane when they fell off the roof approximately 20 feet to the ground. The victim was transported to the hospital, placed on life support, and died as a result of the injuries on March 9.
A 63-year-old machine repairman was performing maintenance tasks near a conveyor line. During the task, a motorized arm pinned the victim to the conveyor causing fatal crushing injuries.
A 64-year-old truck driver was parked on a hill to unload a double trailer of aggregate for a water and sewer project. The rear trailer needed to be unhooked in order to dump the front trailer. After both trailers were emptied, the victim was in the process of hooking up the rear trailer when it began rolling down the hill, striking the driver, causing fatal injuries.
Variances from MIOSHA standards must be made available to the public in accordance with Part 12, Variances (R408.22201 to 408.22251). MIOSHA variances are published online at:
Michigan.gov/mioshavariances.
Quick Links
Agency/Division Instructions/Memorandums
Air Contaminants Initiative
Asbestos Program
CET Request for Consultative Assistance Services (RCA)
CET Training Calendar
Construction Safety and Health Division (CSHD)
DVD/Video Library Service
Employee Safety, Health, and Discrimination Complaint Forms
Fall Prevention Campaign (STOP FALLS. SAVE LIVES.)
General Industry Safety and Health Division (GISHD)
Hazard Communication/GHS
Laboratory and Equipment Services
Michigan Alliances
Michigan Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (MSHARP)
Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP)
MIOSHA FOIA Request
MIOSHA News
MIOSHA Publications
MIOSHA Recordkeeping
MIOSHA Standards
MIOSHA Take A Stand Day
MIOSHA Training Institute (MTI)
MIOSHA Updates
MIOSHA Variances
Radiation Safety Section
Residential Construction
Strategic Plan and Initiatives
Telephone, Mailing and Email Addresses
|
