Page 18 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021 Fatal forklift accident part of growing trend of work-related incidents By Christopher Roberson T he forklift accident that resulted in the death of a 38-year-old man earlier this month is one of the latest in a series of work-related incidents that have occurred throughout the state. According to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the unidentified man, who was an employee at Lineage Logistics on Commercial Street, was working alone on July 19 when the forklift’s hydraulic system suddenly collapsed on him. According to the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (MassCOSH), another fatal forklift accident happened in February when warehouse employee Kenneth Kamyk was killed in Westfield. Therefore, MassCOSH has cautioned that hydraulic equipment, even when it is turned off, can still generate lethal force as gravity causes internal parts to remain in motion. On July 17, Tonya McKinney, a 38-year-old home healthcare worker, passed away in Tyngsboro when she and her client, Doris Gariepy, 91, were overcome by carbon monoxide. There have also been a number of work-related deaths that were not caused by equipment but rather by other people. On June 30, James Hillman, 60, of Springfield, passed away after being assaulted at work. Hillman was employed by the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services and was attacked by a minor at a facility for youth offenders. Just two weeks earlier, Humberto Santos was shot to death at a convenience store in Springfield. MassCOSH reported that between 2011 and 2019, 39 Massachusetts residents were murdered in the workplace. “It is heartbreaking that, in addition to the countless workers we have lost due to occupational exposure to COVID-19, that we also continue to lose workers from workplace injury,” said MassCOSH Executive Director Jodi Sugerman-Brozan. “The worst part is these tragedies are almost always preventable. Once again, we call on employers to prioritize the health and safety of workers above all else as the laws require and on OSHA and the Department of Labor Standards to step up and enforce regulations and procedures. Every worker deserves to go home to their families alive and well.” So far this year, 31 work-related deaths have been reported to MassCOSH. Everett seniors on the road again M ayor Carlo DeMaria and the Council on Aging have planned a long-awaited trip to Maine for the annual Lobster Bake on Wednesday, September 22. The luxury Silver Fox coach will pick up at the Everett Stadium parking lot at 8:30 a.m. The first stop will be the famed Stonewall Kitchen, where seniors will have time to browse through the many jellies, jams and other goodies. The next stop will be the fabulous Foster’s for a traditional Down East lobster bake. The meal will feature New England clam chowder, steamed mussels and Maine clams, fresh lobster (or chicken), baked potato and dessert. The final stops will be at the When Pigs Fly Bakery and at Yummies Candy & Nuts, which features more than 10,000 pounds of bulk candy, packed sweets and vintage products. Reservations must be made in person with trip coordinators Hazel McNeil and Carol Dello Russo at the Connolly Center from August 9 through August 13. Please make checks payable to the City of Everett. For additional information, please call 617-394-2323 or 617-394-2260. Mayor to host Ward 6 community meeting M ayor Carlo DeMaria recently announced that he will be hosting an in-person meeting for Ward 6 residents at Meadows Park on Wednesday, August 4 at 7 p.m. to learn more about the current issues facing the neighborhood. (This ward meeting had been rescheduled from the original date WARD 6 | SEE PAGE 21
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