The Minnesota Department of Transportation briefly put road work on pause Monday in recognition of two contractors who were killed in construction accidents last week.
MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger said the “safety stand down” is meant to honor the lives of those who were killed while emphasizing the importance of safety in work zones.
“Today, MnDOT staff took an unprecedented step to pause work and honor the lives of these two men and to recommit and focus on the safety of every person who works for and with our agency,” Daubenberger said in a statement. “Safety is always our number one priority at MnDOT, and we will continue to work closely with our staff and contractors to improve our work zones to help ensure we all get home to our families safely.”
A MnDOT official said work was paused for 15-20 minutes on Monday so supervisors could review safety protocols with workers.
Background
The two incidents that prompted Monday’s roadwork pause happened on back-to-back days last week.
On Wednesday morning, 29-year-old Pierre Mack of St. Paul was killed after he was struck by a vehicle equipped with a boom attachment along Interstate 35W in Burnsville.
The next day, 25-year-old Adam Smith of Seymour, Wisconsin, died after a dump truck hit him on Highway 610 in Maple Grove.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, both fatal incidents happened inside closed work zones and were not caused by passing traffic.
Risky business
Industry and labor leaders said the deadly incidents are a reminder of the dangerous nature of construction work.
Associated General Contractors CEO Tim Worke said while Smith and Mack’s deaths remain under investigation, incidents such as these “often follow familiar patterns.”
“As we reflect upon these tragedies, we must re-examine where and how we can improve safety culture and make certain that everyone working in the construction industry returns safely to their families each day,” Worke said.
Nicole Blissenbach, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, notes that contact with equipment or other objects is among the leading causes of workplace deaths in the state, accounting for roughly eight deaths each year.
Dan McConnell, president of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council, said “renewed vigilance in every highway work zone” is in order after the loss of two union contractors.
“Every worker deserves to come home safely at the end of the day. We honor the memory of Pierre Mack, a member of LIUNA Local 563, and Adam Smith, a member of IUOE 139, by strengthening our shared commitment to safety – on the job site, in project oversight, and on the roadways we all travel,” McConnell said.
What you can do
While Smith and Mack were both killed within closed construction sites, state officials called for drivers to stay vigilant when passing through work zones.
MnDOT and the State Patrol are asking drivers to stay alert and to be aware of traffic changes and uneven road surfaces when entering work zones. The agencies emphasized obeying speed limits, avoiding distractions such as phones and food, and giving construction workers room to work as keys to keeping everyone safe on the road.
“Work zones are places where Minnesotans are on the job, not just cones and signs on the road,” State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic said. “We need every driver to slow down, pay attention and treat those areas with extra care. The safety of our workers and of everyone traveling on our roads depends on it.”
To plan ahead and see whether construction is happening along your travel route, go to 511mn.org or get the 511mn app for Apple or Android devices.
