Deadly Workplace Incident in Akron Sparks OSHA Investigation
Two workers dead in just over a decade. Both killed by falling steel. Both at Logan Machine Company in Akron. The latest victim, 49-year-old Mykl Kofahl, was pronounced dead at the scene on January 6 when a large piece of steel fell and struck him. In 2015, a 60-year-old worker at the same facility died after being crushed between a workbench and steel weighing thousands of pounds.
These aren’t random tragedies—they’re evidence of a workplace safety failure that has now claimed two lives. It’s a cautionary tale that every hardworking Ohioan needs to heed.
What This Incident Reveals About Workplace Safety
Falling materials don’t happen by accident. They happen when proper securing systems aren’t in place, when safety protocols aren’t followed, or when equipment fails due to inadequate maintenance. The fact that Logan Machine Company has experienced two fatal incidents involving falling or shifting steel raises critical questions:
- Were lessons learned after the 2015 death?
- Were new safety measures implemented?
- Were workers trained to identify and report hazards related to material handling?
OSHA’s investigation will answer some of these questions, but workers shouldn’t have to wait for federal investigators to determine whether their workplace is safe.
What OSHA Investigations Mean
When OSHA investigates a workplace fatality, they’re looking for violations of federal safety standards. If they find that an employer knew about a hazard and failed to correct it, or that proper safety equipment wasn’t provided, citations and fines follow. But here’s what matters more: OSHA investigation findings become public record. That means you can research your employer’s safety history right now.
If your workplace has a pattern of violations or if OSHA has cited similar hazards in your industry, that’s information you need. It tells you where the risks are and what your employer should be doing to protect you.
Take Action Before the Next Incident
- Conduct your own safety audit: Walk your workspace and identify hazards—unsecured materials, damaged equipment, missing safety barriers
- Document everything: Take photos and submit written reports to your supervisor detailing specific safety concerns
- Research your employer’s record: Check OSHA violation history at www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.html to see what hazards have been cited before
- File an OSHA complaint if nothing changes: Report unsafe conditions at www.osha.gov/workers/file-complaint—federal law protects you from retaliation
When Employers Fail Their Duty
Workplace deaths are preventable. When they happen, it’s because someone failed to do their job. If your employer’s negligence caused your injury or took someone you love, you deserve more than workers’ compensation benefits.
The Law Offices of Tim Misny can help you with your workplace accident claim. When an employer’s negligence causes injury or death on the job, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at (877) 614-9524 so I can evaluate your case right away.
