MEC&F Expert Engineers : 10/28/17

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Construction worker Davis Odell “Davey” Knox, 56, of Blanchard with BJ’s Oilfield Construction, was crushed to death by trenching machine while working at the solar farm project near Covington, Oklahoma


Davis Odell “Davey” Knox, 56, of Blanchard, died Monday, October 16, 2017, in Covington, Oklahoma













Davey Knox


October 01, 1961 - October 16, 2017



Davis Odell “Davey” Knox, 56, of Blanchard, died Monday, October 16, 2017, in Covington, Oklahoma. The son of Lester Dee Knox and Lois Lavelle (Sims) Knox, he was born October 1, 1961 in Lawton, Oklahoma.

He graduated from Dibble High School in 1979 and worked many years in the construction industry. Davey married Kathryn Louise “Kitty” McKinney on October 20, 1979 in Harrah. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Blanchard. In his spare time, he enjoyed raising pigs, fi
shing, and hunting. Davey’s greatest enjoyment was spending time with family and spoiling his grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his father and one sister, Debbie Hallmark Whitehead. Davey is survived by his wife, Kitty Knox, of Blanchard; two sons, Jeremy Knox and his wife, Alycia, of Maysville and Eli Knox and his wife, Chelsea, of Wanette; five grandchildren, Rowdy, K’La, Weston, Gracie, and TynLee; his mother, Lavelle Knox, of Blanchard; sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Warren “Jonesy” Lancaster of Yukon; sister, Linda Knox of Blanchard; and many other loved ones and friends.============
==============
A construction contractor was killed around 10 a.m. Monday while working at the solar farm project near Covington.

Garfield County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Logan Niles identified the victim as Davis Knox of Blanchard born in October 1961.

Niles said emergency services were dispatched to the construction site at 10:07 a.m. Monday at the 20000 block of East Longhorn Road.

“Upon arrival, they located a male subject pinned underneath the trenching machine,” Niles said. “He was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Niles said the investigation is ongoing but that Knox may have tripped or his clothing got caught on the machine and pulled him under. There were no witnesses to the accident.

“Moss & Associates is deeply saddened by the death of a BJ’s Oilfield Construction contractor working on site at the Covington solar project this morning," said Jeanmarie Ferrara, executive vice president for Wragg & Casas Strategic Communications in Miami.

Moss & Associates is a construction firm headquartered in Florida. Ferrara said the job site has been shut down.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the man’s family to whom we offer our full support at this extremely difficult time. Counseling support has been made available to any colleagues and staff affected by this tragedy," Ferrara said. "We are fully cooperating with the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) investigation,” she said.

SunPower and OG&E Electric Services are constructing a 10-megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant north of Covington located southeast of the intersection of Longhorn Trail and Highway 74.

Calls made to both SunPower and OG&E were not returned Monday.

The two companies signed a contract to build the plant last July, and plan to have it operational by early 2018.

SunPower will be responsible for operation and maintenance of the plant, which sits on 80 acres of land, said OG&E Corporate Communications Manager Kathleen O'Shea in July. The plant will produce enough energy to power about 1,000 homes.

Cost for the plant is about $15 million to $18 million. Covington was chosen for reasons including "high solar irradiance and minimal shadowing issues." 





B.J.'s Oilfield Construction, Inc.



B.J.'s was founded by Billy Graham and Frank White in December, 1983, with operations headquartered in Blanchard, Oklahoma. Billy and Frank came into the business with over twenty years of experience in oilfield maintenance, construction and sales; gas plant maintenance and operations, pipeline maintenance and construction; heavy equipment operations and general construction.

B. J.'s is a twenty-four hour, seven day-a-week operation with 21 employees. A majority of our work includes roust-a-bouts, trucks, heavy equipment operations, pipeline and maintenance for both new and existing oilfield operations. Types of work include well and tank battery installations, pipeline construction and installation, leak repair and clean-up, location and road building and maintenance, and gas plant repair and maintenance.===================






Solar plant to be built near Covington

Brigette Waltermire | Enid News & Eagle
July 20, 2017







These solar energy panels are similar to what will be used at a 10-megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant to be built near Covington. SunPower | Photo provided




COVINGTON, Okla. — SunPower and OG&E Electric Services plan to start construction next month on a 10-megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant near Covington.

The two companies signed a contract to build the plant Tuesday, and plan to have it operational by early 2018, according to the SunPower press release.

Photovoltaic power panels turn sunlight into electricity at an atomic level, thereby generating electrons. More information can be found at https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2002/solarcells.

The PV panels at the Covington site will rotate to follow the sun throughout the day, said Kathleen O’Shea, OG&E corporate communications manager.

SunPower produces the technology that allows the panels to track the sun, said James Diven, SunPower director.

SunPower also will be responsible for operation and maintenance of the plant, which will sit on 80 acres, said O'Shea. The 10-megawatt plant will create enough electricity to serve approximately 1,000 homes, according to a SunPower press release.

The cost to build the plant is around $15 million to $18 million, O'Shea said, and the Covington site was chosen for a variety of reasons, including "high solar irradiance and minimal shadowing issues."

The site will create about 75 jobs during peak construction of the plant, said Diven. He said the company also has seen that solar power plant construction helps create “economic development in the form of increased commerce for local businesses and suppliers and tax revenues.”

SunPower has 3 gigawatts of solar plants operating internationally, according to its website. One gigawatt is about what 100 million LED bulbs would consume, and what about 4.6 million photovoltaic panels would produce, according to energy.gov.

O’Shea said OG&E built a solar farm near Mustang in 2015, and the Covington location plant is an extension of the company’s project for solar power. The response of OG&E customers to the pilot program in Mustang, which offered customers a chance to get a percentage of their electricity on their bill marked as solar power, was what helped OG&E decide to establish another farm, O’Shea said.

“Now we’re going to learn even more about solar power,” O’Shea said.

She said the first data the company received from the Mustang solar farm showed a production graph that looked like a bell curve throughout the day, with low points in the morning and evening and peaks during the middle of the day; but, closer looks at the hours and minutes showed that different weather and light conditions can impact production, such as clouds passing over the sun having a negative impact on production by the minute or a really bright full moon generating some energy throughout the night.

The electricity generated by the plant will add an additional 10 megawatts to the supply, O’Shea said. OG&E currently has about 6,800 megawatts of capacity that comes through a variety of fuel types, which are broken down on their website.

The panels will be cleaned by robots, which Diven said uses 75 percent less water to clean panels than other methods, and regular cleaning can help to increase energy output.

Jacqueline J. Brueggemeier, 55, a dump truck driver working for WM Mueller & Sons, Inc. at a road construction site in Delano, MN who had gotten out of her vehicle, was ran over and killed by another driver, Tonya Sibila, 39 who was working for Molnau Trucking.







Driver exits dump truck at Delano work site, is fatally hit by other truck
The incident occurred Wednesday morning along Railroad Avenue, according to the Sheriff's Office.

By Paul Walsh Star Tribune
October 26, 2017



A dump truck driver at a road construction site in Delano ran over and killed another worker who had gotten out of her vehicle, authorities said Thursday.

The collision occurred shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday on E. Railroad Avenue, according to the Wright County Sheriff’s Office.

Jacqueline J. Brueggemeier, 55, of Biscay, Minn., got out of her dump truck and was struck by another being driven by Tonya Sibila, 39, of Eden Valley, Minn., the Sheriff’s Office said.

Brueggemeier’s injuries “were severe, and she died at the scene,” a statement from the Sheriff’s Office read.

Brueggemeier was employed by WM Mueller and Sons of Hamburg. Sibila is a driver for Molnau Trucking of Belle Plaine.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials in Minnesota are investigating the workplace fatality, as is the Sheriff’s Office. No charges have been filed in the case.



VEHICLE & EQUIPMENT OPERATION : BACKING EQUIPMENT AND SNOWPLOWS 

Vehicle backing accidents can happen at any time of the year, but when winter comes and there is snow to be cleared, this type of incident becomes even more likely. It seems like every year a backing accident involving a motorist and county equipment occurs in Michigan, despite all the efforts of the County Road Commissions to avoid these problems. However, you may also be interested to know that there are a number of backing accidents that occur in Road Commission garages and even in Road Commission yards. Often times, employees are injured or property is damaged.

Backing accidents are due to a great many factors, including poor visibility, blind spots, difficult terrain, and driver fatigue or inattentiveness. But, let’s face it, the motoring public generally doesn’t focus much attention on avoiding snowplows or other vehicles/equipment with which they share the road. So it is your responsibility as a Road Commission employee to take extra care while out on the road.

That makes avoiding an accident your responsibility, a responsibility that all county employees have to protect the public, but also a responsibility mandated by law. There may be serious legal repercussions if you get into a vehicle backing accident, so even though you as an operator may be doing everything else correctly, you should still remember that you are the one driving the 160,000-pound truck. 

Let’s not dwell on the negative, however. The point of our discussion today is to make sure that everyone on the road gets home safely.

Here are some strategies that veteran drivers use to avoid vehicle backing accidents. 

First of all, try to make a mental note of all the vehicles around you as you drive. If you see a motorist stop or turn off, then you can cross them off your list; but if not, then that vehicle is likely hiding somewhere in your blind spots or dead zone. 

Use curves in the road to help you. When entering an intersection, come to a stop at an angle if it’s safe to do so. If it’s dark out, use reflected light from snow banks or trees as additional queues that a vehicle is behind you. Activate your lights and beacons so that you are more visible. Ensure that back up alarms are functioning properly. Keep looking in your mirrors. Every few seconds you should be checking your mirrors. 

Remember to look and lean to see as much in your mirrors as possible. Stop and let the motorist pass before you begin clearing an intersection, but be aware that some motorists may get confused in these situations and may not react like you think they should. Back slowly at first, again, keeping an eye out for anything behind you. 

Finally, if you are backing and you feel an unusual amount of resistance, or the back end of the truck begins to rise, stop immediately! Check traffic so that you’re not going to be struck by a vehicle yourself, and get out and look.

The most important thing is to be ready! If you operate a snowplow or any other heavy equipment on or near the public right of way, it’s not a matter of if a motorist will come too close to you, it’s a matter of when. So stay alert and be ready. Most of all, remember to drive safely.


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MINNEAPOLIS, MN (WCCO) – Authorities say a 55-year-old woman from south central Minnesota died Wednesday in a construction accident in Delano.

The Wright County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident at about 8 a.m. on the 500 block of Railroad Ave. E. Authorities had received several reports that a construction worker had been hit by a dump truck working in the area.

When sheriff’s deputies arrived, a woman driving a dump truck for WM Mueller & Sons, Inc., for a road construction project was outside her truck when she was backed over by another dump truck. That truck was owned by Molnau Trucking.

The woman hit was pronounced dead at the scene. She was identified Thursday as Jacqueline Jill Brueggemeier of Biscay, which is near Hutchinson.

The accident is still under investigation, but there are no criminal charges at this time.

Molnau Trucking LLC is a privately held company in Belle Plaine, MN and is a Single Location business.

Categorized under Contract Truck Hauling. Our records show it was established in 2012 and incorporated in Minnesota. Current estimates show this company has an annual revenue of 150000 and employs a staff of approximately 2.







HOW TO PREVENT VEHICLE BACKOVER INJURIES AND DEATHS
MARCH 30, 2015

Backing vehicles and equipment are a serious occupational hazard. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that, of the 443 struck-by fatalities at road construction sites between 2003 and 2010, 143 cases involved a vehicle or mobile equipment backing up.
To help prevent backover injuries and deaths, NIOSH recommends a number of standard operating procedures:
·         Create and enforce an operating procedure that addresses how to work safely and lists best practices to follow when working near vehicles and other equipment.
·         Establish safety procedures for working at night with backing equipment. Ensure high-visibility apparel is worn.  Make sure the employees do not wear headphones or other devices that may obstruct their hearing or vision.
·         Take precautions. Use equipment that creates minimal blind spots or has proximity warning devices.
·         Before work begins, design the worksites to minimize or eliminate the need for backing vehicles and equipment.
·         Hire a competent person to supervise worksites involving backing vehicles and equipment.
·         Be sure drivers know not to back up equipment unless they are under the direction of a spotter.
·         Use barrels, barricades, cones or reflective devices to guide vehicles and equipment away from workers.
·         Post signs informing workers where it is safe to walk.
NIOSH states that before work begins, vehicle and equipment operators need to inspect their machinery for any issues. Ensure everything, including mirrors and windows, is clear and in good working order. If something is found to be defective, remove the vehicle or equipment from service until repairs are made.
When operating equipment, know its blind spots. If you lose contact with your spotter for any reason, immediately stop work.
NIOSH also notes that clear communication is key. “At the start of each shift, review communications signals (verbal, hand signals, flags) between spotters, machine operators, truck drivers, and workers on foot,” the agency states.
For workers on foot near backing vehicles or equipment, NIOSH recommends employees adhere to the following:
·         Wear appropriate high-visibility personal protective equipment.
·         Know the blind spots of vehicles and equipment you work near.
·         Never approach a piece of equipment or vehicle without a clear signal of acknowledgment from the operator.
·         Avoid areas where vehicles and equipment travel.
·         Stay alert for the sound of reversing alarms.
·         Avoid complacency. Always know your surroundings.



=====================


FATAL BACKOVER WORKER ALERT AT CONSTRUCTION SITES

It is always very sad to see a young man working for a living in the cold weather to die at a construction site.  Please read this safety alert and ensure that your staff implements the recommendations. 
On February 15, 2014, a 26 year old male employee working as a “Swamper” (driver apprentice) for an oil field trucking company, was fatally injured when he was backed over by a co-worker operating a gas engine, 1-ton dually, welding truck. The welding truck was in the process of relocating past winch truck operations on the well site at the time of the incident.
The company was in preparation for a “rig up stage” at a new well drill site. Just prior to the incident, the welding truck driver and the winch truck employees of the same company met and discussed the planned work. All three employees were aware the welding truck would be required to back up from where it was located, and drive past the swamper and winch truck driver’s location.
The Swamper was assisting the winch truck driver in the relocation of mud and water tanks. After the previous meeting, the winch truck driver returned to his truck, and the Swamper assisted in horizontal rigging of the tank to winch equipment. The welder returned to his truck to move it.
At the time of the accident the welding truck driver was operating a truck without benefit of back- up alarm or spotter. As the welding truck driver backed his vehicle up to the new location, the swamper positioned himself along the storage tank being winched.  The swamper stepped backward into the path of the welding truck, the welding truck passed completely over the victim.
The decedent died of his injuries at the scene.
Cause and Significant Contributing Factors:
·         The welding truck driver arrived on site after the morning job safety analysis (JSA) and tailgate safety meeting.
·         All three workers failed to identify the hazards present on location.
·         There were four different diesel engines running in the area of the incident, creating significant background noise. The diesel engine noise and winds diminished the victim’s ability to hear the much quieter gasoline engine of the welding truck.
·         The victim was wearing a hooded sweatshirt under FRC coveralls, which created limited peripheral vision.
·         The victim inadvertently positioned himself in the path of the welding truck to avoid hazards associated with the winching operation he was assisting with.
·         The victim had his back to the driver; the driver had his back to the victim.
·         The driver of the welding truck could not see directly to the rear due to truck design, obstructed view created by the welding equipment and the driver did not ask for a spotter to assist.
·         The gas engine welding truck was never equipped with a back-up alarm.
·         The victim did not offer to be a spotter, and the winch truck driver did not offer to be a spotter.
·         The trucking company did have a vehicle inspection form, but it was used inconsistently.
·         The inspection form did not have a vehicle specific format, or a back-up alarm check.
·         The winch truck driver was likely in transition of view; he was shifting from left side mirror to right side mirror and rear window view of winch process.
Recommendations:
·         Brief all employees on the facts and circumstances of this fatal incident.
·         In accordance with OSHA Construction Standards, properly equip motor vehicles used in construction environments with audible devices that may be heard over other sounds when being backed-up.
·         Revisit safety programs and JSA information to ensure they are applicable to OSHA standards necessary for the work to be performed.
·         Use a spotter when backing equipment near other personnel as required.
·         Utilize high visibility outer garments.
·         Be aware of your surroundings.
·         Avoid wearing clothing or hooded garments which limit your field of view.
·         Use of approved FRC helmet liners is preferred, as they turn with your head.
·         Ensure that pre-tour safety meetings are conducted to discuss the work to be performed, identifying the potential safety hazards and implementing safe work procedures to control hazards.
·         Ensure the safety meeting information is provided to all employees.

Preventing Backovers

A backover incident occurs when a backing vehicle strikes a worker who is standing, walking, or kneeling behind the vehicle. These incidents can be prevented. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 70 workers died from backover incidents in 2011. These kinds of incidents can occur in different ways. For example:
On June 18, 2009, an employee was working inside a work zone wearing his reflective safety vest. A dump truck operating in the work zone backed up and struck the employee with the rear passenger side wheels. The employee was killed. The dump truck had an audible back up alarm and operating lights. (OSHA Inspection Number 313225377)
On June 9, 2010, an employee was standing on the ground in front of a loading dock facing into the building while a tractor trailer was backing into the same dock. The trailer crushed the employee between the trailer and the dock. (OSHA Inspection Number 314460940)
The purpose of this webpage is to provide information about the hazards of backovers; solutions that can reduce the risk or frequency of these incidents; articles and resources; and references to existing regulations and letters of interpretation.
How do backover incidents occur?
Backover accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. Drivers may not be able to see a worker in their blind spot. Workers may not hear backup alarms because of other worksite noises or because the alarms are not functioning. A spotter assisting one truck may not see another truck behind him. Workers riding on vehicles may fall off and get backed over. Drivers may assume that the area is clear and not look in the direction of travel (PDF*). Sometimes, it is unclear why a worker was in the path of a backing vehicle. A combination of factors can also lead to backover incidents.
What can be done to prevent backover incidents?
Many solutions exist to prevent backover incidents. Drivers can use a spotter to help them back up their vehicles. Video cameras with in-vehicle display monitors can give drivers a view of what is behind them. Proximity detection devices, such as radar and sonar, can alert drivers to objects that are behind them. Tag-based systems can inform drivers when other employees are behind the vehicle and can alert employees when they walk near a vehicle equipped to communicate with the tag worn by the employee. On some work sites, employers can create internal traffic control plans, which tell the drivers where to drive and can reduce the need to back up. In some cases, internal traffic control plans can also be used to separate employees on foot from operating equipment.
Training is another tool to prevent backover incidents. Blind spots behind and around vehicles are not immediately obvious to employees on foot. By training employees on where those blind spots are and how to avoid being in them, employers can prevent some backover incidents. One component of this training can include putting employees who will be working around vehicles in the driver’s seat to get a feel for where the blind spots are and what, exactly, the drivers can see. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) several blind spot diagrams that can help explain what drivers of various large trucks can see.
Vehicles Causing the Most Backover Fatalities 2005-2010+
Dump Truck
67
Semi/Tractor Trailer
40
Truck
30
Forklift
21
Garbage Truck
20
Pick-up Truck
16
+OSHA Integrated Management Information System data

Highlights
Preventing Backovers. Safety Clearinghouses. Provides links to information relating to backover incidents in highway work zones.
Motor Vehicle Safety. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

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