DATE: March 19, 2001

INCIDENT TYPE: Fatal

LOCATION: District 8

TYPE OF WORK ACTIVITY: Machine Placed Surfacing (grader skin patch with cold mix)

THE ACCIDENT: On Monday March 19, 2001 at 10:08 am during a skin patch operation, a veteran Caltrans Equipment Operator was struck and killed by a backing Caltrans 10-wheel dump truck. The fatally-injured employee was working on foot, with a rake, behind the truck. The truck was equipped with a properly operating back up alarm. This was the first day of the second week of the operation. The worker was struck, knocked down, and run over by the truck’s right side rear wheels.

First Aid victim assessment was immediately provided by the crew and joined by the responding CHP unit. An Emergency Medical Technician unit arrived shortly and provided additional medical intervention without success. The employee died at the scene.

FURTHER ACTION: The department has initiated a comprehensive investigation of this incident . Additionally, CHP and Cal/OSHA have initiated investigations of their own.

RECOMMENDATIONS: The Health and Safety Branch suggests all crews hold an immediate tailgate safety meeting. Topics covered should include:

• Working on foot around moving equipment
• Equipment Pre-Op
• Proper radio techniques
• Pre-Job Planning or P-T-P (Pre-Task-Planning) discussing the particular tasks of their job, including job hazards and the mitigation procedures of them
• Use of spotters when appropriate

Attachment: "The Red Zone"

HEADQUARTERS DIVISION OF HUMAN RESOURCES

OFFICE OF SAFETY AND HEALTH 227-2640

Released 4/2/01

This page last updated on February 26, 2002