I-Team: Highway Worker Killed In Medford Expressed Concerns About Lack Of Detail Officer
MEDFORD (CBS) – A highway worker killed on the job expressed concerns about the lack of a police detail hours before his death.
Thomas O'Day posted on Facebook at 9:31 p.m. Monday, "No detail Cops…awesome…insane out here on 93 south bound."
MassDOT confirms they allowed the work to go on without a police detail.
"The crew was deployed for a 'low risk' task at ramps," a spokeswoman told the I-Team. "The alleged drunk driver ran into the truck and crew member in a designated 'work zone' at the ramp in spite of a flashing arrow sign, safety cones, and two trucks with flashing lights on."
According to MassDOT a "low risk" job can be based on the speed limit or working conditions. O'Day was working on a ramp where cars are supposed to travel more slowly.
But O'Day's employer Hi-Way Safety Systems did request a detail from the Massachusetts State Police. A state police spokesman explains they did not have the staff to cover that detail and so they forwarded the request to Woburn Police.
"That is fairly routine, especially during warm months when there are many construction details to fill and many of our personnel utilizing vacation time. In these instances, we give the detail to local departments. In fact, line painting jobs with this company in our Troop A area have consistently been given to local departments," said spokesman Dave Procopio.
But no police detail covered the shift O'Day worked.
Woburn police chief Robert Ferullo told the I-Team they did inform Massachusetts State Police that they did not have a detail available for the job.
Ferullo said that evening they also told the company that there would be no detail, but MassDOT decided to proceed anyway.
MassCOSH, a group that advocates for worker safety, says O'Day's job was anything but "low risk."
In fact, highway work is one of the most dangerous things a person can do. In 2016 there have already been 11 worker deaths related to transportation.
In 2015, 23 workers were killed in transportation related incidents.
"This is something employers really need to focus on when you are having your employees work near vehicles," says Jeff Newton of MassCOSH. "Especially on the highway where vehicles travel at a high rate of speed, your very first priority needs to be how can I keep my workers safe."
MassDOT as the authorizing agency did give permission for the work to go on without a detail.
They say they have up to 125 work zone set ups on any given day. Those that are considered "low risk" because of the speed limit in the area or other factors do not receive a detail.
