Traffic Control Violation Costs Employer $100,000

Two workers preparing to install an automatic traffic counter activated their work vehicle’s warning lights, stopped in the passing lane, opened the doors and began to prepare their equipment. An approaching pickup truck struck the work vehicle, causing it to spin and strike one of the workers. He died from his injuries. The MOL found that the employer failed to ensure the flow of traffic was appropriately controlled with the use of a sign truck equipped with a flashing arrow and properly positioned ahead of the work vehicle. The employer pleaded guilty to a safety violation. The court fined it $100,000 [Pyramid Traffic, Govt. News Release, Aug. 19, 2013].