Construction worker killed by runaway trailer at Neweg Energy Project, New Brunswick

A pilot truck driver was fatally crushed at the Neweg Energy Project wind farm construction site in the Springdale area, east of Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada, after a six-axle transport dolly, with a gross weight of more than 27,000 kilograms, became detached from an off-road forklift while a wind turbine tower was being unloaded. The worker was run over while attempting to stop the runaway dolly. A coroner's inquest jury later ruled the death an accident and issued a series of safety recommendations directed mainly at Windturbine Construction Team, the company responsible for installing the turbines. The inquest did not assign blame or legal responsibility. Separately, Windturbine Construction Team was charged under occupational health and safety legislation with failing to ensure an industrial lift truck was not loaded beyond its capacity and failing to ensure it was used only for its designed purpose; it pleaded guilty to the first charge and the second was withdrawn.

The inquest jury's recommendations focused on on-site supervision and chain of command, morning safety meetings, clarity of scope of work and responsibilities, review of the equipment used against its intended purpose, competence and training of equipment operators, and the right to refuse unsafe work. A guilty plea was entered to a charge of failing to ensure an industrial lift truck was not loaded beyond its capacity. No single cause was formally attributed by the inquest.

1. Establish a clear, active on-site supervisor and a defined chain of command before heavy component handling begins.
2. Hold daily safety briefings and confirm the scope of work and responsibilities of every worker involved in heavy lifts and transport moves.
3. Use lifting and transport equipment only within its rated capacity and for its designed purpose, and check operator competence and training.
4. Remind workers of their right to refuse unsafe work and of the consequences of departing from established procedures.
5. Require active communication to verify safe equipment use during loading and transport operations.

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