CDC STACKS serves as an archival repository of CDC-published products including scientific findings, journal articles, guidelines, recommendations, or other public health information authored or co-authored by CDC or funded partners.
As a repository, CDC STACKS retains documents in their original published format to ensure public access to scientific information.
i
Two Tow Truck Drivers Killed When Struck in a Highway Breakdown Lane - Massachusetts
-
2006/05/22
Details:
-
Corporate Authors:
-
Description:On February 20, 2004, two male tow truck operators (the victims), ages 23 and 24, were fatally injured when a passing car struck them as they stood in the breakdown lane of a major interstate highway. Victim #1, the 23-year-old, was returning to the company office after towing a car with a conventional tow truck to a drop off location a few towns away. Victim #1 pulled into the breakdown lane when he noticed the tow truck's alternator light was on and radioed the company office for help. Victim #2, responding to the call for help, drove a flatbed tow truck to the incident location. Both victims were standing on the left side of the trucks parked in the breakdown lane when a passing motorist crossed into the breakdown lane striking both victims and both trucks. A call was placed for emergency medical services (EMS) by passing motorists and EMS responded to the scene within minutes. Victim #1 was pronounced dead at the scene and victim #2 was transported to a local hospital were he was pronounced dead. The Massachusetts Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program concluded that to prevent similar occurrences in the future, employers should: 1. Ensure that employees use the tow equipment control levers located on the side of the tow truck farthest from approaching traffic
2. Ensure that employees use portable emergency warning devices to help alert approaching motorists of the stopped emergency vehicles ahead
3. Supply and ensure that employees wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including high visibility vests when working along highways and streets
4. Develop, implement, and enforce standard operating procedures (SOP) for responding to highway and street incidents that include minimizing time spent on the side of the vehicle that is closest to approaching traffic
and 5. Develop, implement, and enforce a comprehensive safety program that includes training on hazard recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions. In addition, policymakers should consider the feasibility of enacting a "mover law".
-
Subjects:
-
Keywords:
-
FACE - NIOSH and State:
-
Series:
-
Subseries:
-
DOI:
-
Publisher:
-
Document Type:
-
Funding:
-
Genre:
-
Place as Subject:
-
CIO:
-
Topic:
-
Location:
-
Pages in Document:1-10
-
NIOSHTIC Number:nn:20030817
-
NTIS Accession Number:PB2006-114591
-
Citation:Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, FACE 04MA005, 2006 May;:1-10;
-
Federal Fiscal Year:2006
-
Performing Organization:Massachusetts Department of Health
-
Peer Reviewed:False
-
NAICS and SIC Codes:
-
Start Date:1992/09/30
-
End Date:2006/08/31
-
Collection(s):
-
Main Document Checksum:
-
Download URL:
-
File Type:
[PDF-225.93 KB]