Worker Backs Over Co-Worker

One worker backed over another while they were working as part of a crew securing concrete barriers at a roadway jobsite. The victim was a 26-year-old Hispanic man who had moved to the US from Mexico just three years before. The victim was wearing a lime green safety vest over a lime green hooded rain poncho, earplugs, and work boots. He was walking east towards a group of other workers when he was struck by a dump truck being driven in reverse by another worker who did not see him until it was too late. The driver of the truck had driven 369 feet in reverse and was driving slowly, however he was not aware of the victim’s presence until he felt a “thud” and stopped. The truck was equipped with mirrors on both sides, however the truck’s reverse alarm was not working at the time of the incident and workers report it was inoperable most of the time.

Inspect all vehicles and machinery daily to ensure they are free of defects and working properly. Defective equipment, including vehicles without backup warning alarms or with broken ones, should be reported and removed from service until needed repairs have been made. In this instance, improved radio communication between workers in the vehicle and those on foot might also have prevented a tragedy.

Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program, Case Report 2004-11