{"id":3603,"date":"2011-04-04T16:14:30","date_gmt":"2011-04-04T21:14:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teamreadiness.com\/?p=3603"},"modified":"2014-10-24T23:57:00","modified_gmt":"2014-10-25T04:57:00","slug":"is-your-team-ready-for-an-accident","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teamreadiness.com\/?p=3603","title":{"rendered":"Why Did the Dump Truck Hit the Bicyclist?"},"content":{"rendered":"

On February 19, 2011, Michael Montgomery was riding his bicycle near his home when he was hit by a dump truck. Miraculously, a medical doctor was passing by and stopped to assist. Seeing that Michael was not breathing and unable to find a pulse, she performed CPR for several minutes and was able to keep Michael alive until the ambulance arrived. Tragically, accidents like this happen all too often. Following the article below, we look at some expert opinions on why accidents occur and offer some solutions that organizations can implement to help prevent accidents from happening. <\/p>\n

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TeamReadiness<\/p>\n

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\"Bicyclist<\/a><\/p>\n

FRANKLIN \u2014 A Brentwood bicyclist has filed a lawsuit against a Franklin construction company and its truck driver in the wake of a near-fatal February collision.<\/p>\n

Michael Montgomery, 58, recently filed a lawsuit in Williamson County Circuit Court naming Franklin-based Civil Constructors Inc. driver Curtis Wayne Tipton and Citicapital Commercial Leasing Corp. as defendants.<\/p>\n

Montgomery’s suit alleges Tipton “negligently and recklessly” hit him with the dump truck on Feb. 19 while Montgomery was traveling westbound on the shoulder of Highway 96 near Old Hillsboro Road.<\/p>\n

The suit does not specify what compensation Montgomery is seeking.<\/p>\n

A Tennessee Highway Patrol report on the accident says witnesses recounted how the dump truck veered onto the shoulder of the road before striking Montgomery. Tipton, who lists Bon Aqua as his residence, told police he did not see Montgomery “until he was flipping over.”<\/p>\n

Montgomery was revived by motorists who said he did not have a pulse and was not breathing. He underwent emergency surgery to repair a broken pelvis and spinal fractures and to stop internal bleeding.<\/p>\n

Montgomery had more surgery last week at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.<\/p>\n

“Fortunately, he’s not paralyzed,” said Jeff Roberts, Montgomery’s attorney. “He’s got a long road ahead of him.”<\/p>\n

THP officers did not charge Tipton with any wrongdoing in the incident, even though state law requires motorists to give cyclists 3 feet of space when passing or approaching.<\/p>\n

“Based on the THP’s investigation of this specific case, no charges will be filed in this specific case,” said Dalya J. Qualls, THP spokeswoman.<\/p>\n

The THP said there was no presence of drugs or alcohol involved in the accident.<\/p>\n

An official at Civil Constructors had no comment about the pending lawsuit.
\n          Contact Kevin Walters at 615-771-5472 or kewalters@tennessean.com.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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What Do The Experts Say About Accidents And Prevention?<\/Center><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Workplace Safety<\/strong><\/font>
\nA Guide for Small and Midsized Companies<\/font>
\nby Dan Hopwood and Steve Thompson<\/font>\n<\/th>\n		How to Prevent Workplace Accidents
\nwww.ehow.com\n<\/th>\n		PAUL O\u2019NEILL
\nExcerpts From Key Note Speech
\nThe Joseph M. Juran Center
\nThe Summit 2002 Conference
\nJune 25, 2002\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Seven critical aspects of your current safety program:<\/strong><\/p>\n
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  • 1. Check your safety policy statement, including assignment of job responsibility. Do you have a policy? Who is your safety-point person?\n

  • 2. Review your process for locating and ameliorating safety issues.\n

  • 3. Do you have rules or guidelines for specific hazards? Are the instructions for the grinder taped to the wall next to the machine?\n

  • 4. How strong are your safety communication materials \u2013 newsletters, company wide e-mails, posters (\u201cWe have gone 321 days without a lost-time incident!\u201d) and so on?\n

  • 5. How good are your methods for improving safety, such as including safety goals in performance reviews, reward programs and disciplinary policies?\n

  • 6. Check your training programs. Make sure your workers know how to operate that meat slicer.\n

  • 7. Monitor your record-keeping process, including incident reports.<\/li>\n<\/li>\n<\/li>\n<\/li>\n<\/li>\n<\/li>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    A proper safety program has a few key ingredients:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    • It\u2019s written. It is a real document that managers and employees can find and read\u201cin the right language.\u201d\n

    • Set goals and objectives. Goals are where you want to end up; objectives are how you get there. For instance, \u201cWe will reduce our injury rate by 25% in 2008 relative to our 2007 injury rate\u201d is a goal. Objectives supporting that goal might include, \u201cWe will remedy safety issues that pose a threat of bodily harm within eight hours of their discovery\u201d or \u201cWe will perform weekly safety inspections and, if hazards are found, will begin remedial processes within three calendar days.\u201d Objectives should be measurable and specific. When the goals and objectives are written, communicate them to your employees.\n

    • Make safety a part of your corporate culture. All employees should understand the safety program and how it relates to their jobs; including safety in performance reviews, by showing that managers care about the safety of employees and by conveying the value of safety to all employees.\n

    • Your managers must commit to safety in word and deed. e.g., all wear eye and ear protection in a certain area, take corrective action, discuss safety at group meetings, reply to employees\u2019 safety concerns, know the safety program cold, and respond promptly to injuries or incidents. If someone violates safety policies, managers should react immediately (with discipline, if necessary).\n

    • Involve employees in your safety program. Employees can increase their own safety, let them help you inspect work areas, investigate problems and train others in safety procedures, they will be more likely to \u201cbuy in\u201d to your safety program.\n

    • Form a safety committee staffed with employees, rather than just managers. Reward employees who do the right things, such as bringing hazards to your attention\n

    • Recognize and resolve hazards. Try using the \u201cJob Hazard Analysis\u201d (JHA) method. Watch employees at work, then list all the tasks each one does in his or her job. Show the list to the employees and have them revise it, if necessary. For each task, list all the hazards involved \u2013 actual or possible. Once you\u2019ve listed the hazards, eliminate or abate them. This can involve \u201cengineering controls\u201d (disposal bins, finger guards, ventilation systems), \u201cwork practices\u201d (putting lids on solvents) or \u201cpersonal protective equipment\u201d (respirators, safety glasses).\n

    • Train and educate your people. Training provides skills; education provides knowledge. Show them how to do it and have them practice. Training and education should be specific to the job the employee is doing. If possible, use engaging, live instruction or, at least, a good multimedia presentation. No employee should do a job without proper safety training for that position. When employees change jobs, give them updated, relevant new training.\n

    • Keep accurate records. OSHA requires many businesses to maintain records of injuries and illnesses (Logged on OSHA Form 300).\n

    • Monitor exposure to toxic and hazardous substances\n

    • Record of safety training\n

    • Minutes of safety committee meetings\n

    • Reports from physical exams.\n<\/td>\n

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