MONROE COUNTY, Ohio —Adam Mills, a 37-year-old Lorain County man, tragically lost his life Oct. 18 in a workplace accident at the Hannibal Industrial Park in Clarington.
A resident of Wellington, Mills was working for West Roofing Systems at the site when he fell 60-70 feet off a roof at about 10:45 a.m., according to a local news report.
Three other workers were on the roof at the time of the accident. People at the site tried to help the victim until first responders arrived, but he died by the time a medical helicopter arrived.
Mills was married and had a daughter, according to his obituary.
No other additional information about the accident was released. The fall is under investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
COMMENTARY ON WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS
News of Mr. Mills’ fatal fall is very disconcerting. He tragically died at an optimal time in his life, leaving his wife and daughter to put the pieces of their shattered world back together.
Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction trade, according to a report by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Accounting for 36.4% of all fatalities in the industry, falls account for about a third of deaths in the industry. However, most of these terrible accidents can be prevented.
OSHA has specified a three-fold guide to ensure worker safety to prevent workplace falls. The guide includes planning ahead to ensure a safe work environment, providing the correct safety equipment, and training employees how to properly use the safety equipment provided. Given the information in the accident report, it is not discernable whether these safety guidelines were adhered to on this job site. Fortunately, OSHA already has an investigation underway to answer these and other questions left in the minds of Mr. Mills’ family as to why this terrible accident took place.
As a 30-year veteran in the personal injury law profession, I am well aware of the struggles and suffering these types of accidents cause in the lives of the victim’s loved ones. I will continue to do what I can to raise awareness regarding the risks of accidents in the workplace and fight to increase safety measures to protect those at risk.
My deepest sympathies go out to Mr. Mills’ loved ones in their time of grief.
Disclaimer: At Ammons Law, we are constantly seeking to improve the quality and safety of our roads and highways. We post these articles to help improve safety within our community. All of the information contained within this post was compiled from public sources or constitutes the opinion of the author. Please inform us immediately if you identify any false or misleading information.
