USMWF knows and understands a picture is worth a thousand words.  We are grateful to the families of our fallen workers that have joined the cause and shared the picture and story of their loved one in our USMWF Face Campaign Tribute page.

The tributes are to honor and remember their loved one and to gain a connection between you,  our viewers and the importance of workplace safety, whether that connection be a similar job, work in the same industry, same age or even someone that reminds you of a loved one.  We want you to share our loved one’s stories to ultimately prevent similar incidents from occurring. 


We are the reality of the importance of workplace safety.  It happened to us…...it can happen to anyone.  We invite you to spread the awareness, the stories, the impact with others as together we can make a difference.

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This photo was sent in by his Aunt, Catherine Rylatt.

~ 07/28/2011 ~

Alex Pacas, 19

Alex was killed in July 2011 while working for Haasbach LLC. in Mount Carroll, Illinois. He was engulfed by grain. Wyatt Whitebread also died in this same incident.

OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $555,000.00 penalty for willful violations, serious violations and one other than serious violation. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced $200,000.00 for twelve willful violations, twelve serious violations and one other than serious violation.

There was and additional penalty from Wage and Hour of $68,235.00.

Inspection: 314037433 - Haasbach, L.L.C.

This photo was sent in by his wife Becca Partin.

~ 2/25/1984 - 3/30/2017 ~

Joe Partin, 33 

Joe was killed in March 2017 while working for Green Hill Mining Inc. in Rockholds, Kentucky. He was struck by a rock approximately 4 feet by 5 feet by 30 inches that fell from the bottom section of the highwall.

Kentucky Division of Mine Safety (KDMS) investigated the incident.

This photo was sent in by his widow Sandy Paul.

~ 5/13/1960 - 6/30/2008 ~

Jay Paul, 48 

Jay was killed in June 2008. He died when he was caught in a large gantry machine in Temperance, Michigan.

His photograph was sent in by his mom, Kathleen Rushing.

~2/21/1991-1/31/2021~

Richard Peebles, 29

Richard was fatally injured on the job in January 2021 while working or Tri-State Pole & Piling, Inc. in Lucedale, Mississippi.  He lost his life after he fell into a saw dust pit and suffocated.

Federal OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $21,455 penalty for three serious violations and one other than serious violation. This case is closed.

Inspection: 1513184.015 - Tri-State Pole & Piling, Inc.

Richard was a loving son, father to his daughter he loved everybody. It's not a day goes by that I don't think about him. He was my only son and I miss him everyday. But I know he is walking the streets of gold and I know one day I will see him again. Love you- Mom

This photo was sent in by his mother Tess Pederson.

~ 6/1/1975 - 6/22/2010 ~

Bradley B. Pederson, 35

Bradley was killed on the job in June 2010 while working for Puget Sound Wood Products Inc. in Olympia, Washington.He was riding on the driver’s side of the truck learning to navigate the corner of the road. When the truck rounded a corner and rolled on its left side crushing him. 

DOSH investigated the incident and proposed a $2,800.00 penalty for two serious violations. In an informal settlement the penalty was not reduced.
Inspection: 314477712 - Puget Sound Wood Products Inc.

Bradley was crushed to death while guiding a rookie driver with his truck down the mountain road where they were hauling from. The truck flipped over on top of Bradley. He laid under that truck for over 8 hours before they could get a crane up there to lift it off him. I cannot imagine the pain and suffering he had to endure.The company had to pay $2, 800.00 in fines with no restrictions or penalties for their neglect that caused this horrible tragedy.

My 35 yr. old son Brad was killed 2 months ago in an truck rollover accident while on the job. He was hauling wood chips and debris cleanup from a logging project. He was a very wonderful man and loved his family and is so loved and admired and I really want to let others know. Bradley was married and had 2 children. To see more about Brad.

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 wife.

~ 3/18/1973 - 9/22/2008 ~

David Peterson, 35

David was killed in September 2008 while working for John Prouty Construction Co. in (O'Neil) Verdel, Nebraska. He died when a trench collapsed.

Federal OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $201,600.00 penalty for three willful violations and two serious violations. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced to $105,000.00 with four serious violations and one willful violation.

Inspection: 311463483 - John Prouty Construction, Inc.

This photo was sent in by his grandmother Shirley Cobb.

This photo was sent in by his Mother, Sister, and Aunt.

~ 2/7/1975 - 2/5/2005 ~

Dante M. Perales, 30

Dante was killed in February 2005 while working as a Police Officer in Orlando, Florida. He died in a car accident.

This is not in OSHA's jurisdiction.

His name is Dante Perales and he is loved and missed more than words can ever say. Everyone seen the picture of him in his Police uniform but I wanted to show a different photo of him. I love you Dante and would do anything to have you back. Love Patricia. He died from a gunshot wound.

​Stephan Ballasch (of Yuba City, CA) passed away Stephan Ballasch had been transitioning on an antenna mounting frame when a faulty snap hook on his lanyard failed. OSHA inspected the equipment and identified the safety lanyard as being faulty, stating that "…the employer did not ensure that positioning device systems were inspected prior to each use for wear, damage, and other deterioration, and that defective components were removed from service. Stephan was a loving father, husband, and son, and is terribly missed by his family.

This photo was sent in by his sister Jacona Gillespie.`

~ 2/25/175-12/7/2017 ~

Pete, 37

My brother was just 37 years of age...he had a very full life but I am sure he was looking forward to enjoying much more of it for many years to come. If we, as a family, can use the example of this terrible case to help save some lives in the future then we know Peter did not die in vain.

His photo was sent in by his sister Donna Puleio.

~04/13/1948-08/15/2001~

Gary Puleio, 53

Gary was killed in August 2001 while  employed by Meadville Redi Mix Concrete, Inc. in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Gary was fatally injured after he fell through a 2ft x 3ft hole into a aggregate bin.  Falling approximately 17ft into the gravel bin landing head first.

Federal OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $6,000.00 penalty for one repeat violation. These were not reduced.

Inspection: 303706683 - Meadville Redi Mix Concrete, Inc

This photo was sent in by his wife Nicole Pumper

~8/19/2019~

Zachary “Zac” Patrick Theodore Pumper, 34

Zac was killed in August 2019 while employed by Ap Midwest Llc d/b/a Adolfson-Peterson Construction working for East Side Storage and Maintenance Facility in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Zac was fatally injured when he was struck-by a Caterpillar Wheel Loader as he walked from his work area. 

OSHA investigated the incident and no citations were accessed.

Inspection: 1429323.015 - 100174 - Ap Midwest Llc Dba Adolfson - Peterson Const