On Friday, a construction worker was struck and killed by an attenuator truck on the Atlantic City Expressway in Winslow Township. According to the New Jersey State Police, the driver was retrieving cones from a closure on the highway shoulder when he accidentally ran over the worker while backing up. The driver of the truck, which is designed to protect both workers and motorists in construction zones, was unaware of the worker’s presence, police said. The worker, a 31-year-old Egg Harbor man, died from his injuries.
State police initially reported no other injuries related to the crash but later clarified they were investigating a separate minor accident that occurred in the same area around the same time.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to implement traffic control measures and backing safety protocols to protect workers in highway construction zones. Despite these regulations, construction zones are among the most hazardous environments for road crews, even during routine maintenance such as cleaning up sites.
Both OSHA regulations and the New Jersey Work Zone Safety Act require strict safety measures, including communication protocols and traffic control plans, to help prevent these types of tragedies. While crash attenuator trucks are designed to protect workers, their safe operation depends on visibility and coordination within the work zone.
Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. is a premier personal injury, Workers’ Compensation, and employment law firm. If you have been injured or lost a loved one through someone else’s negligence, call 732-906-1500 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. With office locations in Brick, Freehold, Edison, and Toms River, New Jersey, we proudly serve clients across the state, including Point Pleasant.
