On March 27, 2014, a 64-year-old foreman with 32 years of experience was seriously injured when he was struck by a section of plastic water pipe as it was being moved by an excavator. The victim was transported to a hospital where he died on March 30, 2014, as a result of his injuries.
Best Practices
- Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work. Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed and the methods to properly protect persons.
- Task train all persons to recognize all potential hazardous conditions and to understand safe job procedures for elimination of the hazards before beginning work.
- Wear suitable hard hats where falling objects may create a hazard.
- Stay clear of a suspended load.
- Attach taglines to loads that may require steadying or guidance while suspended.
- Implement measures to ensure persons are properly positioned and protected from hazards while performing a task.
- Monitor persons routinely to determine safe work procedures are followed.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report (pdf), Overview (powerpoint), Overview (pdf).