Police identify construction worker killed by bulldozer in Rockport Accident happened in Mill Street work zone
UPDATED 11:48 AM EDT Sep 02, 2016
ROCKPORT, Maine —A construction worker was killed Thursday when he was run over by a bulldozer, according to the Rockport Fire Department.
It happened on Mill Street just after 3:30 p.m. The road has been closed for construction for about a month.
Camden police identified the deceased as Franco "Frank" Ferraiolo, 54, of South Thomaston. Police said Ferriaolo was working for his family business, Ferraiolo Construction.
Mill Street, located off Route 90, has been under construction this summer to replace a bridge and has been closed to through traffic. Ferraiolo Construction of Rockland is the contractor for the job. A sign at the head of the road indicates the job was expected to be complete by Sept. 2.
The bulldozer was backing up and didn't see Ferraiolo, who was pulled under the track. The person in the bulldozer has not been released.
Officials said the job site was shut down following the accident.
The district attorney's office and OSHA are now investigating.
"The purpose of OSHA’s inspection is to determine whether or not there were any violations of workplace safety standards in connection with this incident," OSHA spokesman Ted Fitzgerald said.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will be conducting an investigation into the accident, and Geary said OSHA was on the scene the morning of Sept. 2.
Also on Sept. 2, Rockport Town Manager Richard Bates released the following statement, "On behalf of the Town of Rockport I would like to express our deepest sympathy to the families, friends and associates of Frank Ferraiolo.
Frank and his company, Ferraiolo Construction, were the successful bidders on our project at the Mill Street Bridge. An unfortunate accident yesterday resulted in his death on the site. Our thoughts are with everyone, including personnel of the Rockport Fire Department and North East Mobile Health Services who were first on scene."
This story will continue to be updated as more information is released.
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FERRAIOLO CONSTRUCTION
Rockland Maine
For over 30 years we have been serving the Midcoast region of Maine.
We operate a ready mix concrete plant located in Rockland and also a crusher operation for your aggregate needs.
No matter what you have in mind for projects, we will be glad to help make your projects come to reality.
General Contractor
Ready Mix Concrete
Earth Work
Demolition
Pipe Lines
Boom Truck
Hauling (dump / live bottom / lowboy)
Septic Systems
Commercial Plowing
Snow Removal
Sanding and or Salting
====================
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
|
Highlights
NEW Preventing
Worker Injuries and Deaths from Backing Construction Vehicles and Equipment at
Roadway Construction Worksites (PDF*). NIOSH, (2014, June)
Stakeholder
meeting [Jan. 8-9, 2013, in Washington, D.C. and Feb. 5, 2013, in Arlington,
Texas]. OSHA Trade News Release, (2012, December 17).
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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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.
- 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.
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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.