CLEVELAND (WOIO/Gray News) – A worker died Friday after being trapped under a forklift at a Sherwin-Williams construction site in Cleveland.
Joe Cunningham, 48, of Laborers Local 310, has been identified as the worker.
Cleveland Police and Cleveland EMS were called to the construction site in the 1300 block of West 3rd Street just after midnight.
First responders said Cunningham was pronounced dead at the scene.
He is being remembered by Laborers Local 310 as “a dedicated laborer, a proud union man, and someone who showed up each day ready to work hard, shoulder to shoulder with his brothers and sisters.”
Sherwin-Williams said its team is saddened to hear about what happened and sends its condolences to the worker and his loved ones.
“We share our deepest sympathies with the family, loved ones, and coworkers,” the company shared in a statement. “Safety remains our highest priority, and we are supporting a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident.”
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb called Cunningham’s death a tragedy.
“This morning’s horrible accident is a reminder that jobs in the building trades not only require great skill, but they also make physical demands that many of us do not face,” the mayor said. “Along with the entire city of Cleveland, I mourn the loss of Joe Cunningham and offer my condolences to his family, his loved ones and his union brothers and sisters.”
Cleveland Councilman Danny Kelly also shared his condolences.
“I’ve been a dues-paying member of Laborers’ Local 310 for over 45 years and worked in the field for 30 years. We all had close calls – and sometimes tragedy strikes – like it did this morning when we lost our brother, Joe Cunningham.”
The Sherwin-Williams headquarters campus consists of three buildings. There is a two-story pavilion acting as the front porch to the public square, a 36-floor office tower, and an attached multi-level parking garage.
