Struck-by Accidents in Construction/Vehicle Back-Over
In the U.S., more than 800 construction workers die
every year while on the job.
Being struck by vehicles, heavy equipment, and other
objects is the top cause of injuries and the second
cause of death for construction workers,
killing more than 150 workers in 2009.
But these injuries and deaths can be prevented.
The video you are about to see shows how quickly
struck-by accidents at construction sites can
lead to worker deaths.
The video will also show what employers must do
so that the work can be done more safely.
Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace
and required protective equipment.
You'll see that taking the right protective steps saves lives.
Please be advised.
The scenes you are about to see deal with deaths at
construction sites and might be disturbing
for some people.
All scenes are based on true stories.
A surveyor was spray painting the ground
to outline the area for a new building pad.
At the same time, the driver of a wheel tractor
scraper was moving forward to get the ground ready
for pad construction.
There was no spotter at the site, and there was no
internal traffic control plan in place.
Before backing up to go over the ground again,
the driver checked his rearview and side mirrors.
He didn't see anyone in his mirrors, so he backed up.
The driver's back-up alarm didn't work, so the surveyor
did not hear the scraper coming towards her.
As the driver backed up, he ran over the surveyor.
She died from the injuries.
Let's look at the events leading up to this tragic
incident, and see how it could have been prevented.
When a vehicle on a construction site has an
obstructed view to the rear OSHA's standard requires
employers to provide that vehicle with a working
back-up alarm, or a spotter on site to tell
the driver when it is safe to back up.
Now let's see what happens when protective
measures are in place.
Although there is now a working back-up alarm,
it is barely audible over the background noise,
so as an added safety measure there is also
a spotter on site wearing a reflective vest.
There is also an internal traffic control plan in place.
This plan helps protect workers because it tells
the drivers of moving vehicles and equipment the safest way
to move around the work site.
So this time, before backing up, the scraper's
driver waits for the spotter's signal so he knows
the area is clear to enter.
Now as the driver reverses, the back-up alarm can
be heard and no workers are near the scraper.
This example shows the importance of employers following
OSHA's vehicle safety standards for construction
sites to ensure that workers are provided with a
safe workplace.
These types of construction worker deaths are preventable.
The protection measures shown here save workers' lives.
Please follow OSHA's safety standards at worksites:
it could be the difference between life and death.
If you would like more information,
contact OSHA at www.osha.gov
or 1-800-321-OSHA
that's 1-800-321-6742
