Regarding the Injured Employee at Western Market

(An Editorial View, by, Crystal A. Proxmire, 2/4/2011)

At approximately 9am on Feb. 4 an employee at Western Market was severely injured when her arms became trapped in a cardboard baler. The employee is alive and has undergone surgery that may save her badly damaged arms.  The injured woman has asked for her privacy in this matter, although other media outlets have written about it, and many readers have been contacting me with questions.

Due to the fact that I do contractual communications work for Western Market, and to the fact that I am emotionally tied to the incident, I do not want to go into more detail.  However, those who want to know more can read this article in The Detroit Free Press – http://www.freep.com/article/20110204/NEWS03/110204054/Ferndale-grocery-worker-s-arms-crushed-machine?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

The Selvaggio Family, owners of Western Market since 1983, has given an update on Facebook, stating:

“To all who have posted your thoughts and prayer wishes. Thank You very much it means so much to our Western Market Family as we are going thru this very horrific accident that happen to our most faithful and beloved employee to whom we are withholding her name at this time at the families request.

She is out of surgery and in the ICU recovering from an 8 hour surgery and please keep her in your prayers as she is in her recovery.

I want to thank the staff at Western Market who came to her rescue and to the Ferndale Fire Department who with out the fast acting and cool heads may have even turned out worse. Hats off to all of you. As well as the police escort to Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital. PLEASE PRAY!”

The Western Market Facebook Page is the best place for updates about the employee and her condition, and is also a good place for people to send their well-wishes.  Support has been pouring in and is much appreciated.  OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) will do an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.