The United Support & Memorial for Workplace Fatalities is not the sort of organization Stacy Sebald ever imagined spending time on, given the pressures of being a single mom with a job, kids, soccer practice and all to attend to. But she also never imagined losing a son to a workplace accident and the barriers to safer workplaces that she encountered as a result. And through the years since, she’s found that putting her faith in God has placed her exactly where she’s supposed to be, doing exactly what she’s supposed to do.
Stacy’s Son, Mitchell, Who Lost his Life in an Agricultural Accident
Events that changed the Sebald’s lives began in 2019 when her son, Mitchell, was hired to do the odd-job work of cleaning out a silo, and lost his life when the auger inside was engaged. When the Occupational Safety and Health Administration came to investigate they stopped short of the scene as soon as they learned the nature of the business.
“They were there within an hour wanting to investigate Mitchell’s fatality. The problem was, they got as far as the farmer’s office area, they checked all his paperwork, they saw that he had ten or less on the books, but it stopped them right there in their tracks from getting anywhere near the silo where Mitchell was killed. Because, back in 1976 our congress…our United States Congress…implemented an exemption. That exemption states that all small farms…OSHA can go nowhere near and investigate – not even a fatality – if that farmer simply has ten or less (employees) on the books.”
Changing that exemption is a goal that’s had Sebald busy nearly non-stop, from writing, contacting and campaigning with Washington, to giving a keynote speech earlier this year during a national memorial observance in the nation’s Capital. Sebald says there’s much needed to be accomplished, but the effort is progressing, with Congressman Glen Grothman now getting involved as there’s support across the aisle to change the rules.
“No, they don’t like that exemption, Congressman Grothman doesn’t like it. But even in D.C. you’ve got your Republicans and Democrats who don’t get along simply because they’re Republican or Democrat. And the fact that Congressman Grothman, you know if people want to look at it that way: ‘Well, he’s a Republican, and he’s not in favor of it’, so it doesn’t matter. He’s looking at it like we all are: what’s right and what’s wrong. And that exemption’s just wrong – it’s not right.”
Through investigating, making contacts with the rule-makers and those with similar tragic experiences she became involved with the USMWF organization whose motto is “Together We Make a Difference”, describing their mission of supporting families and preventing workplace tragedies. One of those support efforts is happening this weekend and anyone wishing to provide support is welcome to join in.
The United Support & Memorial for Workplace Fatalities 5K Walk takes place on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. at Deland Park, with a route taking participants between there and North Point Park to compile the 5K distance. The walk is in remembrance of the 15 persons killed every day in the US from workplace accidents. Some late-developing complications sent Sebald into crisis-management mode with only days to prepare all the changes, but issues have been resolved and walkers are registered and ready.
After the walk, attention turns to 3 Sheeps Brewing Company where Southern cuisine will be served by Yummy Bones, a Port Washington-based food truck, yard games will be played, and a raffle and silent auction will be held.
Those wishing to register to walk, donate or purchase a T-shirt can do so through Stacy’s facebook page.
And donations to USMWF can be made securely through this link.
To learn more about USMWF, click here.
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