BOSTON, MA — In a release issued on Tuesday, MassCOSH (Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health) extended its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and coworkers of Manuel Chuqui, who died Thursday after a fall from scaffolding while performing exterior work in Jamaica Plain. NBC10 Boston reported that Manuel’s family identified him, that fire officials said the cause of the fall is under investigation, and that OSHA has been notified.
“Today our hearts are with Christina, Jose, and every person who was waiting for Manuel to come home,” said Tatiana Sofia Begault, Executive Director of MassCOSH. “His family remembers a man who worked hard, cared for others, and lit up a room. We speak his name because he was more than a workplace fatality. He was deeply loved. His family deserves compassion, practical support, and a full accounting of what happened.”
MassCOSH called for a prompt and thorough investigation of the worksite conditions, scaffold, fall protections, training, supervision, and other relevant circumstances.
“No family should receive a call like this after a loved one leaves for work,” Begault said. “We will make family support available if Manuel’s loved ones want it. We also ask that investigators follow the evidence wherever it leads and that every employer examine the protections their workers rely on before another family suffers this loss.”
According to a GoFundMe fundraiser which has raised just under $34,000 as of this writing, Chuqui was a devoted husband and father who was working hard to pay for his children’s medical issues.
“My dad has always been a hardworking, dedicated father who would do anything for anyone. He worked hard day in and day out to support our family. To those who know him, Manuel is someone who can always be counted on—a loving dad, a dedicated provider, and a person who would go out of his way to help others. He was always checking in on his family and asking if anyone needed anything.
“With my dad being the primary provider for our family, the financial impact of his loss will be catastrophic. My younger sister suffers with multiple medical issues and underwent a liver transplant three years ago at the age of 9. Her follow up care requires multiple medications and frequent trips to Boston Children’s Hospital. My youngest brother has autism and is also followed by many care providers which also require frequent trips to see his providers.”
Visitation will be held at the Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington Street, DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS on Friday, October 2nd from 4-8PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Holy Family Church, 24 Hartford Street, DORCHESTER on Saturday, October 3rd. at 10AM. Interment at Braintree Cemetery.
