Mark Peters, 49, from Taunton, Died in Workplace Accident at Recycling Center in Westport ---> GoFundMe Created to Support Victim’s Family
WESTPORT, MASSACHUSETTS (October 20, 2025) – A man identified as Mark Peters has tragically died in a Westport industrial accident at Mid City Scrap.
Bristol County officials are saying that the accident took place around 11:10 AM on Friday. Mark Peters was working at Mid City Scrap when he sustained a crushing injury to his lower extremities.
Paramedics were called to the recycling center to help the victim. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
Sadly, he was pronounced dead at the hospital. He is survived by a wife of 17 years and a 13-year-old son.
You can help support the family of Mark Peters through GoFundMe. According to the online fundraiser, “This is a shock to all of us that loved him. Their life has changed so drastically, and it shouldn’t be this way just from a man getting up, doing the right thing, and going to work and never making it home from the job site. Anything you can donate will help my friend, my sister, my nephew out as life changed so quickly for them.”
A full investigation into the fatal industrial accident at Mid City Scrap remains ongoing.
Liability for Westport Industrial Accidents
Businesses across Massachusetts have a legal obligation to protect their workers from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This is particularly important at recycling centers, manufacturing plants, and other industrial businesses where heavy equipment is being used. The equipment at these locations can pose a serious risk of injury or death to workers, even when it is being used as intended. What follows are just some of the OSHA regulations that employers must follow to protect their workers from industrial accidents.
- Machine Guarding: According to 1910.212(a)(2), “One or more methods of machine guarding shall be provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks.”
- Safe Operation of Equipment: Employers must ensure that all of their workers are properly trained to handle the heavy equipment that they’re using. This is particularly important for forklifts, loaders, and other heavy machinery that have the potential to pin workers.
- Maintenance: All equipment used at any industrial site must be kept in a reasonably safe condition, according to manufacturer specifications. This necessitates that heavy equipment be routinely inspected and well maintained.
Generally speaking, employees in Massachusetts are barred from bringing negligence claims directly against their employers, with limited exceptions. When a worker is injured or killed in Massachusetts, they or their surviving family members will typically have recourse through the workers’ compensation system. This is a no-fault insurance scheme designed to protect workers who’ve been harmed, regardless of how an accident took place. In addition to workers’ compensation, there could be third-party liability for any industrial accident if an entity separate from a worker’s employer was negligent.
Third-Party Liability for Massachusetts Industrial Accidents
The waste and recycling industry has one of the highest instances of worker fatalities across all fields. According to Waste Dive, “The fatality rate for refuse and recyclable material collectors increased in 2023, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The category was ranked as the fourth deadliest job in the country, with 41.4 fatalities per 100,000 employees.” Given the complexity and logistics behind any recycling center operation, there could be numerous sources of third-party liability if any worker is injured or killed.
- Equipment Manufacturer: The company that manufactured any piece of equipment involved in an industrial accident could be held legally responsible through a product liability claim. For example, a piece of equipment may have lacked adequate guards to protect workers from crush injuries. It is also possible that some piece of equipment malfunctioned.
- Maintenance Providers: In many circumstances, recycling centers and other industrial sites will outsource the maintenance of equipment to third-party contractors. If these contractors failed to adequately service the equipment that they are responsible for, they may share some amount of legal responsibility for any resulting injuries or deaths.
- Site Operator: A site owner or general contractor may be liable for an industrial accident if they failed to properly ensure that a work environment is in a reasonably safe condition. They may have failed to ensure that safety regulations were being followed.
Many equipment manufacturers have faced lawsuits after workers were seriously injured or killed in workplace accidents. Consider, for example, Fahey v. Rockwell Graphic Systems, Inc. A press operator’s arm was pulled into a printing press and crushed in the process. The accident took place after a machine guard designed for the printing press was removed. Attorneys for the plaintiff argued that the manufacturer of the press was liable for the accident on the basis that the device was negligently designed and inherently unsafe. The family of any person who is killed in an industrial accident may be able to pursue some measure of justice and accountability through a civil action.
Investigating Westport Industrial Accidents
We at DiBella Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mark Peters. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to OSHA. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong so that other tragedies can be prevented. Many questions remain unanswered. Did the machine involved in this accident have adequate guards? When was the last time this piece of equipment was properly inspected and maintained? Is there a history of similar incidents or close calls at this location?
Do you need more information about a Westport industrial accident? Our team of workers’ rights advocates is here for you. We are well-versed in all of the federal and state regulations related to preventing industrial accidents. We can investigate the unique facts of any case at no cost and get to the bottom of what went wrong. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, we are here to serve your needs. You can contact our office anytime at (617) 870-0907.