MI Die Setter Killed On Job: MIOSHA

HOWELL, MI — A skilled trades worker was killed on the job Monday in Howell, according to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The 34-year-old worker was a die setter, which is a manufacturing specialist who adjusts, installs and removes heavy industrial tools, officials said.

Officials said the worker got caught between two large machine tools, known as dies.

"While the die was being lowered, the crane operator noticed the locating pin was in wrong position and began raising the die back up," officials said. "As the worker climbed off the bolster to locate the pin, the die caught another die, began swinging then struck and pinned the victim between the two dies."

The incident is the 12th workplace fatality this year, according to the MIOSHA's website.

In 2025, MIOSHA investigated 45 workplace-related deaths in Michigan.