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Officials from the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have issued fines to Revoli Construction Co. in Massachusetts following a fatal construction accident on July 26. Police Officer Jose Torres was directing street traffic near the construction site when he was hit by a dump truck driven by one of the construction crew members.
“We felt there should have been more coordination between the company and people directing traffic,” says Mary E. Hoye, regional OSHA director. “Our feeling is that having a plan for the movement of people and vehicles on the site and talking about that plan is a big step.”
OSHA determined that the truck’s reverse alarm was working properly at the time, but it may not have been loud enough for the officer to hear.
“Unfortunately, and OSHA has seen this over the years, having a backup alarm is not protective enough,” said Hoyle. “It requires the person to self rescue and get out of the way themselves. There is a lot going on at a construction site.”
This is an example of how lack of oversight by management can lead to injuries and death to persons not even working on the site. If you have been injured on the job and need assistance in filing for workers comp, please contact our firm for a free consultation.
Tip of the day: If you work. live or commute in the vicinity of an active construction site, read all warning signs and communicate with the site manager if you have any questions regarding what you need to know to ensure your safety.
Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC—Columbus workers comp lawyers