A man walks on scaffolding used for the ongoing construction of the Courtyard by Marriott hotel on the southeast corner of Colby Avenue and Wall Street in downtown Everett on Tuesday.

A man walks on scaffolding used for the ongoing construction of the Courtyard by Marriott hotel on the southeast corner of Colby Avenue and Wall Street in downtown Everett on Tuesday.

Falls are the leading cause of work-related deaths, injuries

EVERETT — At least nine people who lived or worked in Snohomish County have died from job-related injuries since November 2014.

Those nine were among 84 people statewide whose lives were honored April 28 at a memorial ceremony held by the Department of Labor and Industries.

Five of the county’s job-related deaths occurred as the result of falls from a ladder, scaffolding or other equipment, according to the state. Several of the deaths in the county were the result of complications from workplace injuries sustained years ago, including ladder falls.

Falls also were the leading cause of worker deaths statewide, followed by car crashes, said Elaine Fischer, an agency spokeswoman. Men make up the majority of those killed at work in Washington. Six of the 2015 deaths were homicides.

This year, about half of the state’s fatalities involved workers who were 50 or older.

That’s unusual, Fischer said, because younger people generally work in the higher-risk professions, which include logging, construction and manufacturing.

The statewide list includes three U.S. Forest Service firefighters who died in a crash during a wildfire last summer in Eastern Washington.

Snohomish County’s lost lives included Steven Bartel, 66. He was the owner of an Everett-based company that coordinated motorcade escorts. Bartel succumbed to injuries from a motorcycle accident during a funeral motorcade, according to the report. Everett barber Paul Chachulski, 65, fell from a ladder at work, as did Marjorie Reed, 58, who stocked shelves at the Lake Stevens Target. Fall victim David West Jr., 56, was a technician at Boeing.

The youngest local victim was a 31-year-old carpenter who fell from a roof. The oldest was 80. He succumbed to injuries received when he fell from scaffolding in 2001 while working as a siding installer.

The nine Snohomish County cases might include people who lived or died elsewhere but worked for local employers. Not listed are people who suffered serious, life-changing injuries but survived.

The numbers are never exact because the state might not be notified of work-related deaths until years later, if ever. Some years, there are no deaths reported at Snohomish County workplaces. Because of the role work plays in people’s lives, job sites can become the location for other types of deaths, including homicide and suicide. Last year’s homicides included a robbery, a disgruntled worker and an incidence of domestic violence.

The annual memorial ceremony is part of the state’s commitment to preventing workplace deaths, and coming together to remember, L&I Director Joel Sacks said.

In addition to the memorial ceremony, the state produces an annual report on worker deaths. The deaths have been declining in Washington since the early 2000s.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.

Ladder safety

*Inspect ladders for damage at least once a year and before each use.

*Set them on dry, hard and flat ground, about a quarter of the ladder’s usable length from the wall. If using a supporting wall, make sure it’s not slippery.

*Test the ladder for stability before climbing.

*Never sit, stand or step on the top rung. Keep your weight balanced in the middle of the ladder.

*Avoid using ladders in the rain.

*Avoid carrying heavy objects up the ladder. Consider using a rope to pull up the items.

*Be especially careful if you’re older. Half of ladder deaths are people 65 and older. More than a third of ladder-related hospitalizations involved the same population.

Sources: Snohomish County Fire District 1 and Snohomish County Fire District 7

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.