Justin's Job Site Fatality w/ Rena Harrington

In this deeply personal and powerful episode of Construction Safety Perspectives, host Bob Kunz speaks with Rena Harrington — a mother whose world changed forever on January 18, 2018, when her 27-year-old son, Justin, was killed in a workplace accident while working on a residential construction site in Gloucester, Massachusetts.Rena shares the emotional story of Justin’s life, his passion for heavy equipment and construction work, and the troubling safety concerns he voiced just days before the accident. She takes listeners through the harrowing timeline of being notified — not by police at her door, but through a series of calls while at work — and how her family found out about his death through a news article being shared on Facebook before official confirmation.Through grief, heartbreak, and unimaginable loss, Rena has become a powerful advocate for change. Today, she is an active voice within the United Support & Memorial for Workplace Fatalities (USMWF) — a national nonprofit organization that supports families affected by preventable workplace deaths and helps them navigate the difficult process of investigations, OSHA proceedings, and workers’ compensation.In this episode, Rena speaks candidly about: • The critical safety oversights on Justin’s job site • How young workers often aren’t aware of their rights or options • Gaps in how employers handle emergency contact protocols • The emotional toll of workplace loss and the lack of accountability many families face • Her ongoing legislative work in Massachusetts to strengthen workers’ comp funeral benefits and hold small employers to safer standards • And how she found strength and healing by helping other families through USMWFThis episode is not just a tribute to Justin — it’s a call to action for employers, regulators, and construction professionals to ensure that no other family experiences what Rena has.To learn more about USMWF or to connect with someone for support after a workplace fatality, visit: https://usmwf.orgThe organization provides emotional support, access to resources, and helps families share their stories to raise awareness and push for real safety reform.