Construction Laborer Crushed by Asphalt Truck While Paving Interstate Highway

On October 24, a 34 year old male construction laborer was fatally injured when he was crushed beneath an asphalt-carrying tractor trailer while paving an interstate highway. The victim, facing away from the tractor-trailer, was shoveling old asphalt from around a catch basin adjacent to the high-speed lane. Working approximately 12 feet behind the trailer, the victim could not be seen by the truck driver. The vehicle had no backup alarm. Co-workers, seeing the truck begin to move yelled to the driver and the victim, but it was too late. The victim was run over by the left rear dual axle and was killed instantly. State police on the scene for highway traffic control called the local medical examiner who removed the body to a county hospital. The MA FACE Director concluded that to prevent similar occurrences in the future:

• Construction company employers should ensure that one person be designated as a signalman to direct trucks backing up within highway construction sites
• Trucking company employers should design, develop and implement a comprehensive safety program that includes, but is not limited to, training for truck drivers in hazard recognition on construction sites and providing back-up alarms on trucks
• Highway paving contractors should design, develop and implement a comprehensive safety program that includes, but is not limited to, training for highway workers in controlling traffic hazards on highway construction sites

In addition, tractor-trailer manufacturers should:

• consider providing back-up alarms and back-up lights as standard equipment on new vehicles.