This morning at APMT's terminal in Port Elizabeth, NJ, an over-the-road truck driver decided that it would be appropriate to exit the cab of his tractor and take a walk on an RTG runway. Before too long, he was struck by the RTG's service lane wheels

This morning at APMT's terminal in Port Elizabeth, NJ, an over-the-road truck driver decided that it would be appropriate to exit the cab of his tractor and take a walk on an RTG runway. Before too long, he was struck by the RTG's service lane wheels. 
As most of us know, those wheels are very large and equally unforgiving. And from the experience of conducting at least 8 fatality investigations over the years wherein marine terminal workers/truck drivers have paid the ultimate price for being this foolish, I can unequivocally say that no one should ever be on an active RTG runway.

As the photographs below show, the driver's foot appears to be the only body part that sustained injury. From the swollen size of the lower part of that foot, there may well be substantial complications. This story is not over yet.... 
This post could have had a much more tragic ending, with the snuffing out of a life needlessly.
We know that this terminal has a policy wherein no over-the-road truck driver is permitted to exit his/her tractor's cab, and has taken away any excuse for doing so (engaging/disengaging chassis twist locks that secure the container) by providing a nearby safe areas where those activities may be undertaken.
This accident underscores the reality that more needs to be done before tragedy strikes again, both here and elsewhere throughout the full range of ports wherein this type of lethal struck-by hazard exists.

Ron Signorino


 Longshore Safety

Comments

  1. With all the alarms blaring when transtainers are in motion, it's shocking anyone would end up bring run down by them. This driver will be lucky to use that "clutch foot" again, will be lucky to walk without pain or effortlessly again, and may very well be banned permanently from the Terminal after this. He's lucky to be alive and I hope to see followups about this incident in the upcoming months. No doubt there'll be a lawsuit launched against the crane operator, the union and the terminal in an effort to recoup lost wages after this. For some, there's deep pockets somewhere to help salve wounded road warriors injured outrage.

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