Occupational
& Environmental
Medicine
College of Human Medicine

2026 Michigan Work-Related Deaths

Case Summary

The table below contains preliminary information about Michigan workers who have died in 2026 as a result of an injury sustained while at work. The information has been obtained from public media sources, MIOSHA and stakeholder reporters. MIFACE has not verified this information; verification may conclude that the death is out of scope.

A MIOSHA Program-Related fatality is determined by whether the individual who died was employed in an industry included in MIOSHA jurisdiction as defined in Public Act 154 of 1974, as amended and the fatality may be related to a MIOSHA standard.

Case Number

Date of Injury

Occupation Description    Incident County   MIOSHA Program Related #

001

1/5/2026

A maintenance technician A maintenance technician was found unresponsive in a golf cart in the maintenance area.   Saginaw    

002

1/5/2026

A package car driver

A package car driver committed suicide via gunshot wound.

  Wayne    

003

1/4/2026

A firefighter

A firefighter died of a subarachnoid hemorrhage/stroke that was presumed to be from a residential fire fought the day prior.

  Wayne    

004

1/10/2026

 

A tow truck helper

A tow truck helper died from a fatal head injury sustained when their head was caught between the carriage and the cab of the tow truck.

  Montcalm   01

005

12/14/2025

Youth specialist

A youth specialist died of medical complications from an injury sustained a month prior, when they were assaulted by a resident and their leg was broken.

  Osceola    

006

1/16/2026

A landscaper A landscaper was found pinned by a hydraulic control arm, whose hydraulic line they were working to fix.   Oakland    

007

01/20/2026

An editor An editor was found unresponsive in the bathroom.   Wayne    

008

01/24/2026

A merchandise clerk A general merchandise clerk collapsed while pulling a pallet jack and was transported to the hospital, where they later died.   Macomb    

009

01/27/2026

A sales representative A sales representative collapsed at a customer’s location and was transported to a hospital, where they later died.   Oakland    

010

01/28/2026

A dispatcher A dispatcher collapsed in the parking lot and was transported to the hospital, where they later died.   Oakland    

011

10/21/2025

A firefighter lieutenant

A firefighter lieutenant passed away from cancer.

  Wayne    

012

02/02/2026

A site manager A site manager was found unresponsive in their office.   Kalamazoo    

013

01/01/2026

A general utility cleaner A general utility cleaner was found unresponsive on the restroom floor and was transported to the hospital, where they passed away approximately a week later.   Wayne    

014

01/06/2026

A laborer

A laborer attempted to cut some trim, tripped, and fell down the stairs while under the influence of drugs.

  Wayne    

015

02/06/2026

The owner/operator The owner/operator of an excavating company was attempting to reinstall a pin on the arm of an excavator when the operator of the front loader moved the excavator arm to assist in the installation of the pin, resulting in the owner struck by the excavator arm and pinned between the arm and the bucket of the front loader.   Genesee   02

016

02/06/2026

A security guard

A security guard suffered cardiac arrest while patrolling the inside of a building.

  Ottawa    

017

02/08/2026

A police officer A police officer committed suicide.   Genesee    

018

02/17/2026 A painter A painter was working on a well when they poured a gallon of muriatic acid into a hole, causing a chemical reaction and sulfuric acid to gas, which led to them collapsing and another employee entering the affected area to help them to collapse as well.   St.Clair   04

019

02/17/2026

A laborer

A laborer observed another employee, who had poured muriatic acid into a hole to treat a well that resulted in sulfuric acid gas as a chemical reaction, collapse and entered the affected area to help them.

  St. Clair   03

020

02/19/2026

A care worker

A direct care worker was found unconscious on a couch in a group home

  Wayne    

021

02/19/2026

A property manager

A property manager was found unresponsive by their golf cart.

  Macomb    

022

02/24/2026

A truck driver

A truck driver collapsed outside their truck while delivering a trailer.

  Kalamazoo    

023

02/25/2026

An Assembly Worker

An assembly worker was found unconscious while inspecting vehicles and was transported to the hospital.

  Macomb    

024

02/26/2026

A sales representative

A route sales representative collapsed while/after using a pushcart to transfer soiled work uniforms and was pronounced on the scene.

  Ottawa