An unidentified female dockworker at the busy Port of Oakland, CA, who had just finished her night shift and was leaving the dock, was run over and lost both of her legs, reports say.
The accident occurred while the shifts were changing at the same time heavy machinery used to hoist the shipping containers and move them around the docks also were also moving around, reports say.
The Ports America company, which apparently reconfigured the terminal in January 2010 with pedestrians and equipment now passing through the same area, is reportedly in charge of the port. In addition, it had reportedly been raining. Regardless, reports say the local dockworkers union demanded that Ports America change the configuration -- which they evidently have done.
Cal-OSHA is investing the accident.
Dockworkers have enough risks without adding to the risk by lack of training. Workers know some of the risks. But adding to those risks by individual negligence or under-training employees increases the on-the-job danger tremendously. If you or someone you love has been injured on the job, the Doan Law Firm, P.C., led by Houston personal injury attorney Jimmy Doan, has extensive experience in worker's compensation and employee litigation. Contact the Doan Law Firm, P.C. at 1 Riverway, Suite 2055, Houston, Texas 77056, (713) 869-4747 or (800) 910-FIRM.