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.
================
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
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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