"Runaway tractor-trailer....."

The importance of having an evacuation meeting area if an incident occurs is many times overlooked by workplaces. Evacuation meeting areas are used for a myriad of reasons if a building is evacuated. Here is an incident that might have resulted in an evacuation.

An unattended tractor-trailer coasted into a building at the aluminium foundry along a (rural highway) in the USA after the operator left the rig parked on the shoulder while he got coffee at a nearby convenience store.

No one was injured in the accident, which happened about 2 a.m. one morning the first week in June 2022, which is (route designation omitted), just west of (a small town), but the building, which houses the business offices, sustained structural damage, (local) police said.

The incident is still under investigation, but the initial police report said the operator had parked the rig on the eastbound side of the road before walking to (gas station), located less than one-third mile west along (road name omitted). When he returned, the truck wasn’t where he had parked it.

The rig apparently rolled down (road) and coasted across the center turning lane and westbound lane before entering the foundry property and crashing into a corner of the administration building.

Members of the (local) Fire Department responded and were prepared to rescue a driver based on initial reports of possible entrapment, local Fire Commissioner said. But crews discovered there was no one aboard the truck.

Other buildings on the property were occupied at the time, but the administration building was closed,

Fire officials initially called for a collapse unit from (local) Fire Company, but canceled that request when they realized no rescue was required. A heavy-duty towing contractor removed the rig, and fire officials turned over the building to the township building inspector.

A restoration company arrived to shore up the building. A damage estimate was unavailable.

No doubt this is an unusual incident. We are thankful that no one was injured. The Aluminium Plant Safety Blog has posted incidents that in many ways have nothing to do with our workplaces in terms of hazards associated in our industry. From grass fires to workplace violence when unauthorized individuals enter their premises.

When an incident occurs doing a headcount to confirm that all individuals (workers, contractors, vendors, etc.) are present can be time consuming depending on the size and layout of a workplace. The use of a mandatory evacuation to an evacuation point can make this difficult process quicker. 

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