California Surveyors Forums

According to news reports, a private sector surveyor, age 73 was stuck and killed by a vehicle in a residential neighborhood in San Diego, south of highway 94 on Monday morning 9/17/2018 shortly before 7:30 AM. As of this morning (9/18/2018) the surveyor's name has not been publicly released. Low sun angle hampering the driver's vision may have contributed to this tragic accident. This is a sad reminder to take the time to evaluate your project site for safety concerns, be aware of changing conditions, and to drive at a speed appropriate for existing conditions.

http://www.cbs8.com/story/39106309/surv ... rald-hills

Rob

Oh, that is just heartbreaking. Be careful out there people.

Looks like a one person crew. Robotic or cell phone or keyboard distraction?

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/new ... story.html

"Edward Dutton of Imperial was crossing the street on Geneva Avenue at Winston Drive in San Diego, surveying a street, when the vehicle hit him shortly before 7:30 a.m., according to police and the county Medical Examiner's Office"

Maybe I do not want to know the answers to these questions, except the last one, but we all might want to ask ourselves all of them.
Does your firm have established and documented safety procedures?
Are established and documented safety procedures something that is included in the training you provide your field crews?
Do your field crews evaluate the safety considerations when arriving on a project site or when conditions or operations change?
Do your office staff have any training before they go out to a project site?
Is field crew safety procedures something that is checked by the field supervisor or the PLS?
Is field safety procedures something that is included in employee evaluations?
Can CLSA help you provide better safety training to your field staff?

I understand he was in a crosswalk carrying a tripod in the line of sight of the sun and the driver was blinded coming up to him. I do not believe the driver was cited.

Based on my own experiences with almost getting hit by cars, that morning school rush/"get to work" mentality has to be the most dangerous time. This one happened at 730am. Also, as we approach Fall and Winter that sun gets brighter.

Since I work mostly solo now if I am setting up in the street I don't do that setup until after 9am.

One of the downfalls of a one man crew. I have saved a few party chiefs as a chairman and been saved a few times by a chairman when distracted. On the other hand I know of a few stories where both crew members were hit. Can’t be careful enough out there. Sorry for his family and loved ones. Jp

I am sorry to have heard this tragic news and extend my deepest sympathy to his family.

At our company we do not use one-man crews because of safety concerns. We do discuss safety every morning, use the CLSA safety manual as our guide and have regular meetings with all office staff.

God bless his family and all surveyors who are out in the field today and every day.

Roger

I was very saddened to hear about the recent “KIA” Land Surveyor while surveying here in San Diego where I live and still work part time. I agree 100% with comments by Caltrans Land Surveyor Rob McMillan.

I worked for the City of Chula Vista for (26) years. I was the Safety Rep for our Land Surveyors Office and Survey Crew. We had regular Safety meetings and attended Safety Classes taught by Professional Safety People.

For the last (12) years I have worked part-time as a Land Surveying consultant. Only (1) Company (Dokken Engineering) had any type of Safety Program. Steven Heise, myself and others were sent to a Special Safety Program because we worked on the San Diego MTS Trolley Line that will be running new Trolley Lines to the UCSD Area.

One of the main safety problems that I have noticed that is Very Different from my Public Agency Survey Work is that the Private Sector Surveyors HARDLY EVER Use Survey Crew Signs posted on sites where we are working in the Roadway. Yes… That gives the motorist a warning that we are working in the Roadway.

Here’s an article about the Lone surveyor that I also wanted to share.
https://www.pobonline.com/articles/8735 ... e-surveyor

Thank You..
Semper Fi 713 --- Jack Gechter PLS

mpallamary wrote:I understand he was in a crosswalk carrying a tripod in the line of sight of the sun and the driver was blinded coming up to him. I do not believe the driver was cited.

If that's the case the driver should be cited.

So it could have been anyone even a kid walking to school, just his poor luck.

More than once while crossing a signalized intersection with the WALK sign someone turning right almost nailed me, sun not a factor, just so intent on turning right they never looked left. One even flipped me off. if you can't see someone 6ft tall with a orange vest and white hat you shouldn't be driving.

Over the years I have attended numerous safety courses and only one touched on things surveyors need to be aware of when working in traffic, that was a Cal Trans safety course open to anyone decades ago but haven't heard of it being offered ever again.

Good comments. We used to take first aid classes also. Yes, I think this accident was a fluke, as best I know. I think because of cell phones and all that jazz, more people are being exposed to situations like this.

I am so saddened to hear of the news that one of our brothers died. I have had several close calls in the field myself through the years, and am an advocate of having a crew consist of more than one person. Safety is paramount over budget constraints. May god provide comfort to his family and friends in this time of grief.
God bless him.

Let this post be an eye opener for all!
Luckily I have had formal traffic control training by the State Police during my college days as I was directly involved with traffic control and getting fans out of sporting events (with alcohol involved). This has always been beneficial to me as working in traffic is dangerous. One needs to learn how to have your head on a swivel at all times, direct hand signals, know your escape route, and the best pointer I can give is how one makes eye contact with that approaching driver.

Yes there are techniques to learn, and this is just another topic where CLSA could coordinate state wide training, or maybe even have a traffic safety officer make a presentation at a state conference.

Are you volunteering to coordinate such training through CLSA Keith?

E_Page wrote:Are you volunteering to coordinate such training through CLSA Keith?

Sorry Evan,
My training and experience was invaluable to the dangers I have dealt with, and feel fortunate enough to have some solid training, but that was 20 years ago, even though I still use much of what I learned. I'm definitely not certified to train others who are not under my direct supervision.

I suggest coordinating with a local PD for a potential hour long presentation (or hands on) training. Traffic control is far more serious than the majority of surveyors (and contractors) take granted for.

Keith Nofield, PLS

In my city there are 2 standards of traffic control. Private companies doing non public agency work have put lane closure signs out 1/2 mile from the work with 2 more signs before the work area. Now the city or a contractor working for the city, in the last case was working on median island landscaping, shut down a lane by coning it off at the work area, not one lane closed ahead sign. And this was not the first time I witnessed it. Calling the city gets "Oh, ok we will look into that". Sure they will.