CALIFORNIA'S FALLEN WORKERS

​These are a few of the men and women that went to work in California and were fatally injured never going home to their families at the end of their shift. We remember, honor and recognize these men and women for their dedication and hardwork. We would like to sincerely thank the families that shared their loved one's picture and their tragic loss with USMWF.

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his photo was sent in by his Mom, Maureen Shamgochian.

~ 4/22/2003 - 9/7/2019 ~

Kaden Matthew Farro

​Kaden was killed on the job in Sept 2019 while working for Services of Agriculture Inc. in Denair, CA. He died when an ATV flipped on top of him causing him to become pinned and suffocate under the weight of the machine.

CA/OSHA investigation is pending.

Inspection: Services of Agriculture Inc.  (pending);

Because we would like to affect change with regards to the nature of our son's circumstance I would like to provide the cause of his death.

Kaden was asked to check irrigation lines on the large almond ranch where he was employed by a farm labor contractor.  His mode of transportation on the ranch was a Suzuki King quad which allowed him to travel several acres in a day's time. He was usually paired with a partner but that partner didn't attend work on that particular day. He was asked to check in throughout the day with other co-workers. While driving the ATV, something dropped off his ATV. Kaden coasted to a stop, turned the wheel to circle back and upon acceleration the ATV flipped on top of him causing him to become pinned and suffocate under the weight of the machine. He did not receive any safety training or safety equipment from his employer to avoid harm on this machine. Kaden was following all guidelines set forth by our state and the manufacturer for legal and cautious use of the vehicle. We are advocating for crush protection devices to become a mandate for these inherently unstable vehicles as rollovers are one of the top reasons for the multitudes of deaths caused by ATV's globally.

This photo was sent in by his soul mate Mary Vivenzi.

~ 7/5/1960 - 8/13/2002 ~

Kevin Scott Noah, 42

​Kevin was killed in August 2001 while working for Himmick/Obayashi/Golden Gate Bridges Seismic Retrofit in San Fransico, California. He died when he fell off the Golden Gate Bridge.

CalOSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $26,025.00 penalty for three serious violations and three other than serious. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced $0.00 and no violations.

Inspection: 125613836 - Shimmick Obayashi.

Photo was sent in by his mother, Michele Peters.

~11/11/1992-6/24/2020~

Jason Peters, 27

Jason was killed on the job in June 2020 while working for Liquivision Technology, Inc. in Fresno, California.

Jason was killed due to extreme heat as he specialized in the inspection, cleaning and repair of large potable water tanks.  He was getting ready to go into the water tank and was found unresponsive on the water tower's catwalk and was in cardiac arrest.

In memory of a life so beautifully lived! Jason Peters was an amazing son and a father. He died doing the kind of work he loved. His legacy of character and faith will be passed on to his 3 year old daughter Arielle Peters.

This photo was sent in by his widow Michele Piper and daughter Nichole Wesson.

~ 4/15/1950 to 10/15/2011 ~

​Gregory Piper, 61

Gregory was killed in October 2011 while working for Boat Grotto in Santiago, California. He died with a Pulmonary Aneurism which was the direct result of a workplace injury.

Cal/OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $260.00 penalty for two other than serious violations. There was no reduction. Inspection: 315342477 - The Boat Grotto.

This photo was sent in by his sister Mary Rivera.

~ 7/17/1960 - 8/30/2013 ~

Oscar Rivera, 53

Oscar was killed in August 2013 while working as a subcontractor for Hillpointe Construction Incin in Goleta, California. He died falling through an unprotected skylight while painting outside of MOOG INC.

CalOSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $15,600.00 penalty for two serious and four other than serious violations. This case is still open.

Inspection: 316671064 - Hillpointe Construction Inc.

*IN LOVING MEMORY OF Oscar Rivera* OSCAR RIVERA -July 17, 1960 - August 30, 2013 ~53 years old~ Oscar Rivera was killed on the job on August 30, 2013. He was painting the outside of MOOG INC. in Goleta, ca. He was on the roof when he fell through a skylight. He fell 25 feet down to his death. The contractor that he was working for did not provide Appropriate Guarding and Fall Protection, when working around skylight. He was a Son, a Brother, a Uncle, a Cousin, and a Father. He left to do a job and he said he would be back in 2 weeks. He never return home. I find my self looking for him, then I realize he is no longer here. His death could of been prevented. His death has change me. my brother was not the first or the last. I will be my brother's voice and for other's that was killed on the job. I remember when we were little and played in the yard and went inside to sit and play cards. You'd look at me and smile, your smile stretch a mile. I look at the door and wait for you to appear, then i realize you are no longer here. I tell myself that i should of told you not to go. Who would of known it would of been the last time I would see you. "YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN MY BROTHER" LOVE YOU MY BROTHER! YOUR SISTER MARY RIVERA

This photo was sent in by her best friend Zahra Khan.

~ 11/2/1985 - 1/16/2009 ~

​Sheri Sangji, 23

Sheri was killed in January 2009 while working for University of California Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California. She died in an explosion caused by the reactive compound t-butyl-lithium.

CAL-OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $31,875.00 penalty for three serious violation and one other than serious violation.

This photo was sent in by his mother Mary Aloi.

~3/24/1982 - 5/29/2008 ~ 

​Austin J. Sawicki, 26

Austin was killed in 2008 while working at Whillock Construction in Chula Vista, California. He died after being struck by a steel beam.

CAL-OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $13,950.00 penalty for one serious violation and one other than serious violation. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced to $5,150.00 for two other than serious violations.

Inspection: 310816962 - Whillock Contracting Inc

Austin J. Sawicki, 26 was Killed when a steel beam was dropped on him while working for Whillock Construction. We were waiting for him to come to the hospital as his sister was giving birth to his nephew Wesley Austin Zimmer. He is missed so much. We will miss you forever and for always. )He was a part-time seasonal day-laborer).