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, recognize 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 wife Jennifer Detrano.

~ 04/06/1971-10/07/2013 ~

Nick Farella, 42

Nick was fatally injured on the job in October 2013 while working for Eastchester Department of Public Works (Town of Eastchester City) in Eastchester, NY. He was on the back of a sanitation truck when it backed up pinning him between a telephone pole and the truck. He passed away during emergency surgery.

This was not in the OSHA's jurisdiction.

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

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

Kaden Matthew Farro, 16

Kaden was fatally injured on the job in September 2019 while working for Services of Agriculture Inc. in Denair, CA. He was fatally injured when an ATV flipped on top of him causing him to become pinned and suffocate under the weight of the machine.
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CA/OSHA investigated the incident and proposed one other than serious violation and proposed a $5,000 penalty.  This case is now closed.

Inspection: 1484592.015 - Agriculture Services, Inc.

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.

His photo was sent in by his mom Charlene Fecht.

~ 12/12/1986-09/22/2019 ~

Zane Wells Fecht, 32

Zane was fatally injured on the job in September 2019 while working for Interstate Commodities, Inc. in Fremont, Nebraska. He became engulfed in grain after he entered the grain bin to unclog a mixture of milo, corn, and soybeans.  It took approximately 8 hours to recover Mr. Fecht.

OSHA investigated the incident and proposed 10 serious violation and 7 repeat violations proposing a $228,592 penalty.  In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced to $137,155. This case is still open.

Inspection: 1432818.015 - Interstate Commodities, Inc.

Forever & Always you are loved and missed. Memories of you are cherished each and every day by many. -Charlene Fecht (mom), Tim, Charlene - Allen, Shannon - Ken, Braxton - Taylor, Elijah, nieces, nephews, family & friends.

This photo was sent in by his daughter Jill Fenton.

~ 2/22/1965-10/02/2013 ~

Todd Fenton, 48

Todd was fatally injured on the job in October 2013 while working for Carrollton Farmers Branch Independent School District in Dallas, Texas. He was shot and found eight hours later.

This was not in the OSHA's jurisdiction.

On October 2, 1213 my father was brutally murdered in his office, at Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD, by a coworker. Where guns are supposed to be prohibited and against the law. The suspect, fled the scene and is still at large. There has to be a lack of security somewhere since my father's body laid there for 8 hours before being discovered. The investigation is on going and this is all the information I can provide at this time. You may find his obituary at www.beanmasseyburge.com

This photo was sent in by his wife Missi Ferguson.

~ 4/8/1966-6/14/2012 ~

Hoyt Ferguson, 46

Hoyt was fatally injured on the job in June 2012 while working for MG Dyess in DeKalb, Mississippi (He resided in Willard, MO). He was fatally injured when the pipes in the back of the truck smashed into the vehicle's cab.

Federal OSHA investigated the incident and proposed no penalty or violation. MG Dyess was issued a Hazard alert with recommendations to protect employees from struck by hazards. This inspection is closed.

Inspection: 469059.015 - M. G. Dyess Inc.

To see more about Hoyt.

This photo was sent in by his family.

~ 3/18/1968-1/24/2017 ~

Salvatore Fidone III, 48

Salvatore was fatally injured on the job in January 2017 while working for Omaha Public Works in Omaha, Nebraska (He resided in Council Bluffs, IA). He was fatally injured when he was struck by a vehicle while preparing to repair a pothole.

This is out of OSHA's jurisdiction.

This photo was sent in by his daughter Sharon Norman.

~ 3/9/1942-3/11/2000 ~

Gordon G. Field, 58

Gordon was fatally injured when he had a stroke while working for Trent at Armstrong Steels, (UK).

My Father Gordon G Field, was killed on 3rd November 2000 by his negligent employer Armstrong steels (now ASD) in Stoke on Trent, England. He was a 58 year old maintenance engineer working alone on 30th October. Gordon didn't know that their H and S manager Jeff Neilson had risk assessed the lifting gear he was using as unfit, and yet failed to do anything about it. He later lied under oath at the inquest. My Dad was working alone in a noisy factory, he was last seen alive just before noon, he was found, slumped over the lifting gear unconscious at 12.10pm. Resuscitated at the scene and airlifted to Shrewsbury hospital (due to bed shortage at North Staffs), he died at 5 days later at 8.55pm on 3rd November from chest injuries and intercranial pressure. We waited 12months for the jury inquest which lasted 2 days. We went to court 16 times before the H and S prosecuted Armstrong steels 100k for killing my father (which goes to H and S not the family). Their annual turnover was 100 million, fined 100k with no corporate accountability. I would be honored if you could put his photo on your site. many thanks Sharon Field xx

This photo was sent in by his mom, Jo Fisher

~ 07/25/1990-07/26/2019 ~

Benjamin "Ben, B, Fish" Joseph Wayne Fisher, 29

Benjamin was fatally injured in July 2019 while working at Traffic Control Specialists Inc in Knox, Indiana. He was fatally injured after being struck and fatally injured by an oncoming vehicle that failed to slow, stop, or move over.

IOSHA investigated the incident. This case is closed. 
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Inspection: 1435747.015 - 110056 - Traffic Control Specialists Inc.

Benjamin was full of life. His attitude was to go to work each day with a positive outlook and "be prepared because you never know who you'll meet that will benefit your future". In his short life of 28 years, B overcame many adversities and shared his testimonies with anyone needing to hear how God has brought him through. He advocated for those with Invisible Illnesses and Victims of Abuse, of which he was a Survivor of both.

Benjamin survived a tragic accident at aged 13, that claimed his oldest brother. Doctors gave no hope of survival and God showed them, He was not done with Ben Life drastically changed but Ben fought through his trials, relied on God and succeeded in his rehabilitation.

Ben worked for TCS over two years, and was LIUNA Local 645, Shop Steward. He fought for his coworkers and suggested changes, mediated and mentored many. Benjamin is a true Hero. As the truck came swiftly toward him in his last minutes, Ben yelled, "Laura, Move!" at his coworker thus saving her life, according to on scene Paramedics.

In 2019, Benjamin filed to run for Mayor of Plymouth, IN, as a Republican Hometown Conservative. His slogan was #WorkingTogetherToMakeDreamsAReality. He had many ideas and goals to help his community thrive and wanted to give back to his town that had been there for him. "When people visit Plymouth, I want them to ask themselves, Why don't we live here?" The Benjamin J. W. Fisher Memorial Foundation,  dba "I AM MY BROTHERS KEEPER ", has been set up to further Benjamin's Legacy. Ben's footprints will forever remain within our hearts.

This photo was sent in by his niece Tonya Ford

~ 5/13/1957-1/29/2009 ~

Robert Fitch (Uncle Bobby), 51

Uncle Bobby was fatally injured on the job in January 2009 while working for Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) Company in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was fatally injured when he fell 80ft from a belt-operated manlift.
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Federal OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $12,500.00 penalty for three serious violations. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced to $2,500.00 for one other-than-serious violation. This case is closed.

Inspection: 311465157 -ADM Milling Co.

​In loving memory of my Uncle Bobby. He gave me the biggest lesson of all... Always love like there is no tomorrow.

This photo was sent in by his Daughter In-Law Nikki Fletcher.

~ 2/19/1962-9/2/2021 ~

Landon Fletcher, 59

Landon became ill on the job in August 2021 and succumbed to the illness in September 2021 while working for Magoffin County Schools in Salyersville, Kentucky.  He is believed to have contracted the COVID-19 virus while at work and sadly lost his battle to the virus. 

This is not in OSHA's jurisdiction.

"He was our rock my kids loves there papaw so much and miss him everyday. He took care of everything for us. We miss him every day of our live’s" -Nikki Fletcher

This photo was sent in by his mother Terry Ford.

~ 2/6/1982 - 10/27/2008 ~

Matthew John Ford, 26

Matthew was fatally injured on the in October 2008 while working for Southland Electric Supply in Burlington, North Carolina. Matthew was fatally injured after falling from a scissor lift.

NCDOL investigated the incident and proposed a $5,000.00 penalty. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced to $4,000. This inspection is closed.

Inspection: 312194343 - Southland Electrical Supply,Inc.​

My son Matthew John Ford was born a preemie July 6, 1982 and died tragically in a scissor lift accident at Southland Electrical Supply in Burlington, NC October 7, 2008. OSHA concluded operational error. Matt was their Chief Information Officer, a computer expert. He had no operational nor safety training on this equipment. He was installing security cameras, after dark, with no ground spotter. The ramp he was on was not very steep, so no safety curb was required by OSHA. Apparently somewhere on the lift is stated do not use on un-level ground. Many questions have no answer, such as why was he allowed to use this equipment? Why was no ground spotter assigned? If this equipment is so unstable, why is it not mandatory that it have an automatic shut off when used on any inclines, no matter how slight? Why aren't safety curbs mandatory on any inclines, so you know when you are getting close to the edge? Matt was only 26 years old, and extremely successful, going from an intern position at $8 an hour to Chief Information Officer making over $78,000 a year in only 4 years. His future was so bright. Workman's comp takes no future earnings into account and has a cap on what compensation we are allowed. A worker at 26 has many more years to increase their income than a 64 year old yet they use the same equation to calculate benefits. God Bless you Matt, you should not have been taken away from us so soon.

This photo was sent in by his son Brian Forster.

~ 12/20/1949-11/12/2004 ~

Steve Forster, 61

Stephen was fatally injured on the job in November 2011 while working for Indy Logistics in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was pinned between a forklift and a building support column.

IOSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $17,500.00 penalty for five serious violations. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced to $11,500.00 for three serious violations and two other than serious.  This inspection is closed.

Inspection: 315718981 - Indianapolis Logistics.

This photo was sent in by his parents Jeff and Becky Foster.

~ 1985-2004 ~

Jeremy Foster, 19

Jeremy was fatally injured on the job in 2004 while working for Deltic Timber in Ola, Arkansas. He was fatally injured when he was pulled into an auger.

Federal OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $4,500.00 penalty for one serious violation. In an informal settlement it was reduced to $2,250.00 for one serious violation. This inspection is closed.

Inspection: 307893347 - Deltic Timber Corporation

To see more about Jeremy.

This photo was sent in by his loving fiancée Cassie Leigh

~ 1/13/1974-4/8/2020 ~

Frank E. Freer, 46

Frank of Pontiac, IL was fatally injured on the job in April 2020 while working for U.S. Steel’s Gary Works, contracted through KM Plant Services Inc.in Gary, IN. He was fatally injured after he fell through a hole.

IOSHA is investigating the incident the incident and proposed a $7,000 penalty for one serious violation.  In an informal settlement it was reduced to $0 and no violations.  This case is closed.

Inspection: 1472137.015 - 110933 - Km Plant Services Inc

Its been almost 8 months since Frank tragically left us. It is A day I will never forget, sometimes I still feel like it was yesterday. Frank was truly the most amazing man I have ever met. He was such a generous, loving and caring friend, father, brother, uncle, papa and fiancé. He was that man that you could meet one time and will always remember. He was definitely 1 in a million and I was so lucky enough to call him mine.  He really was my "Knight and Shining Armour" and everything I have ever wanted and more. This life I live now will never ever be the same without him in it. We were so in love and happy for the future as Mr. and Mrs. We had so many plans. This is the worst thing tragically to ever happen and to live through. I constantly think about that horrible day and the unanswered questions. Some days it just consumes all of me, all of my strength I have left. The amazing memories we made and shared with each other will live on forever in my mind, heart and soul.  Not A day went by without him saying, "I love you", "Your beautiful and amazing". He made sure I knew that every single day.   As I did the same to him. And he knew how much I loved him too. I will treasure every moment I had with him. I love you more my amazing Sea Otter Man. I will always be your squishy, forever.