APRIL 20, 2015
ECORSE, MICHIGAN (AP)
A U.S. Steel employee died Saturday and a man is in custody
after a trucking accident involving Wayne-based Alco Transportation at the
Great Lakes Works Cold Mill Shipping in Ecorse.
Heather Warren, 41, of Inkster, was run over by a semi
tractor-trailer around 1 p.m., according to her sister, Sheryl Warren, who said
she had talked to a coworker of Heather Warren's after the incident.
Heather Warren had been an employee of the steel
manufacturer for three years and worked as a shift supervisor, doing office
work and shipping, her sister said.
On Saturday, her sister said she was told Heather Warren was
bringing in a truck at the facility.
"The semi didn't see her," Sheryl Warren said.
"Someone tried to get her attention, but she had headphones on and didn't
hear."
"She died instantly... My sister shouldn't have been
killed," Sheryl Warren said.
Ecorse Police Cpl. Chris Trevino said Sunday the 47-year-old
driver of the tractor-trailer is in custody but did not release further details
of the investigation. The case will be turned over to the Wayne County
Prosecutor's Office to decide whether charges will be filed, Trevino said.
U.S. Steel spokeswoman Courtney Boone released a statement,
saying,
"We take the safety of our employees very seriously and we will
work closely with the United Steelworkers and other agencies in the
investigation. An investigation into the incident is underway. No further
details regarding the incident are available at this time. The company
expresses our deepest sympathies to the victim's family."
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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.
- Do not wear headphones or other devices that may obstruct their hearing or vision
- 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.