Many workers in Pennsylvania and other states suffer injuries in struck-by accidents that are caused by vehicles. In many such accidents, vehicles on the work site are involved, such as yard trucks, cranes, forklifts or other industrial equipment. However, sanitation workers are often injured on the job while working at other locations.
A garbage collector in another state recently survived a struck-by accident that could have been fatal. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the accident in which a worker was struck by a vehicle. The accident occurred on a recent Wednesday morning when the worker was collecting garbage. The garbage collector suffered critical injuries, and he was rushed to a medical facility.
OSHA says employees, such as garbage collectors, should wear reflective vests. Warning signs should also be posted to alert motorists to reduce speed and be on the lookout for sanitation workers moving about while carrying out their duties. OSHA is concerned about the high numbers of accidents involving workers being struck by vehicles and asserts that these accidents are preventable.
Pennsylvania workers who are injured on the job may pursue compensation by filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, regardless of the location where the injury occurred. So, even if the worker is away from the premises of the company that employs him or her, injuries that occur while he or she is on duty are claimable. The same goes for surviving families who lost loved ones in fatal workplace accidents at off-site locations. Compensation typically covers medical and/or end-of-life expenses and lost wages. In the event of fatalities, surviving spouses and other dependents will receive compensation to enable them to meet financial obligations and cover living expenses.
Source: wowt.com, “OSHA Investigating Accident Involving Garbage Collection Driver”, March 19, 2015