A construction worker from El Salvador died Tuesday after falling from the roof of a three-story building in Revere, Massachusetts, in what officials believe was a tragic workplace accident.
The incident occurred at a property on Payson Street, where emergency crews and federal investigators rushed to the scene after the fall. The worker, whose name has not yet been released, was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital but was later pronounced dead, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Colleagues at the site said the man had recently arrived in the United States from El Salvador and had only been living in Massachusetts for about a year. They added that Tuesday marked his first official day on the job.
A large number of first responders surrounded the partially finished triple-decker building as local police secured the area. Investigators from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) were also on site to determine whether workplace safety violations may have contributed to the incident.
Authorities said foul play is not suspected and that the fall appears to have been accidental.
“This appears to be a tragic workplace accident. We extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and friends and to all of those who witnessed the incident,” District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in a statement.
Following the accident, the city of Revere issued a cease-and-desist order, halting any further construction activity at the building while investigations continue.
According to local reports, crews had been working on repairing the home after a fire in June completely destroyed a neighboring property. The ongoing reconstruction efforts aimed to restore the damaged structure and stabilize the area, but Tuesday’s incident brought work to an abrupt stop.
The worker’s death underscores the persistent risks construction workers face, particularly in residential projects where fall protection measures can be challenging to maintain. OSHA investigators are expected to review whether appropriate safety equipment was in use and if training or oversight gaps played a role.
As the investigation continues, local advocates are calling attention to workplace safety for immigrant and first-time workers—many of whom take on hazardous construction roles with limited protections or language support.
Originally reported by Asher Klein and Jerico Tran in NBC 10 Boston.
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