A 36-year-old man tragically died in a workplace accident at the Dexter Stamping automotive facility in Jackson County, Michigan, reported CBS News Detroit. The incident, which took place on Monday, occurred when a swivel bolt on equipment being used to move a die unexpectedly broke loose; this resulted in the machine part falling and ultimately crushing the worker. He was a die setter, engaged in operating a crane to transport the heavy components at the time of the fatal accident.
The WILX News 10 detailed that after the chain malfunctioned, the equipment's weight shifted, and the entire die-cast fell from the crane striking the man, neither drugs nor alcohol were said to be involved, the officials said that the swivel bolt was not fully threaded which caused it to come loose. This somber news comes just days before the commencement of a phased closure of the facility which was set to begin today with the first round of layoffs.
In a statement obtained by WLNS 6 News the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) confirmed it has begun investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. "MIOSHA has initiated an investigation of the incident that occurred in Jackson on July 15, 2024. MIOSHA cannot provide information on an open investigation. Typically, this type of investigation may take several weeks or months to complete," a MIOSHA representative said.
This fatal accident marks the 14th workplace death in Michigan for the year, whereas last year saw a total of 36 deaths related to workplace incidents, with the automotive facility confirming that all its employees would be affected by the imminent total shutdown planned for July 31; Dexter Stamping was on the verge of closing and had already initiated the final layoff schedule, according to the initial plan obtained by CBS News Detroit.
