We got the news yesterday that one of the workers at another Transfer Station facility (city dump) had been killed while on the job directing traffic in and out of the building to off-load trash. Even though we were required to go through our own safety training program before being allowed into the bay, it's still a somber reminder of the extreme care that's always needed to be taken while gleaning for art materials. This worker was somehow killed by one of the large bulldozer/tractors which often enters the area to help clear away trash. From Mercury News :
Woman, 66, killed in Waste Management plant accident in San Leandro
By Chris De Benedetti
The Daily Review
Posted: 06/19/2012 12:03:14 PM PDT
Updated: 06/19/2012 04:28:57 PM PDT
SAN LEANDRO -- A 66-year-old great-grandmother was killed Monday when she was struck by a bulldozer while working at a Waste Management plant, a company spokeswoman said.
Evangelina "Eva" Macias, of San Leandro, was struck by the vehicle while working as a traffic director in the plant's public drop-off zone at 2615 Davis St, spokeswoman Karen Stern said.
Alameda County fire provided emergency care around 2:55 p.m. after responding to reports that the woman's hips and legs were crushed in the accident, fire officials said.
Macias, a plant employee for nearly 13 years, then was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead Monday evening, Stern said.
The man driving the bulldozer, a Waste Management employee since 1990, has been placed on paid administrative leave while the sanitation company investigates the fatal accident, the spokeswoman said. Waste Management officials did not provide specific details about the incident, saying they still are trying to determine exactly what happened.
"We're conducting a thorough investigation, and we're all trying to determine what could have led to this event," Stern said. "Our employees are trained extensively in safety and all wear yellow vests and hard hats while working."
Waste Management officials visited the Macias family at their San Leandro home Tuesday.
Macias' daughters described her as a family-oriented woman who had a positive attitude and enjoyedshopping and singing Mexican folk songs. She especially liked to stay busy.
"She loved to work," her daughter, Maria Macias, said, her voice cracking with emotion. "She was a workaholic, and she refused to retire."
Macias and her husband, Victor, 62, raised their three children in the East Bay, where they settled in the early 1970s, family members said. Eva Macias was born in La Palma, Mexico, a small town in the state of Michoacan -- about 125 miles west of Mexico City. The couple immigrated to Illinois in 1968 before moving to Northern California a few years later. A mother of three children, Macias had five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, her daughter said.
"She was outgoing and friendly," Maria Macias said. "She had friends everywhere, and she loved to get together with family and cook."
Macias' daughters said they are planning to schedule a viewing for Sunday and funeral services for Monday but still are finalizing the details.
In addition to her husband and elder daughter, Macias is survived by her daughter, Anna Macias; and was predeceased in 2000 by her son, Rafael Macias, family members said.
On Monday afternoon, operations at the Waste Management drop-off area were suspended after the fatal accident, while other work at the 52-acre plant continued for the rest of the day, Stern said. All operations resumed Tuesday at the drop-off area, where the public is encouraged to deliver wood, metals and recyclables for plant employees to sift through.
Macias' co-workers are a core group of 22 employees who had performed six years of injury-free work before the fatal accident, Stern said.
Waste Management officials provided grief counselors for plant workers Tuesday, as well as a 1-800 number for employees to call for counseling, the spokeswoman said.
"It was a tragic accident and we're all dealing with the loss," Stern said. "Needless to say, it's devastating to our employees. Our hearts go out to her family."
The death is being investigated by Cal-OSHA, said agency spokesman Peter Melton.
By Chris De Benedetti
The Daily Review
Posted: 06/19/2012 12:03:14 PM PDT
Updated: 06/19/2012 04:28:57 PM PDT
SAN LEANDRO -- A 66-year-old great-grandmother was killed Monday when she was struck by a bulldozer while working at a Waste Management plant, a company spokeswoman said.
Evangelina "Eva" Macias, of San Leandro, was struck by the vehicle while working as a traffic director in the plant's public drop-off zone at 2615 Davis St, spokeswoman Karen Stern said.
Alameda County fire provided emergency care around 2:55 p.m. after responding to reports that the woman's hips and legs were crushed in the accident, fire officials said.
Macias, a plant employee for nearly 13 years, then was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead Monday evening, Stern said.
The man driving the bulldozer, a Waste Management employee since 1990, has been placed on paid administrative leave while the sanitation company investigates the fatal accident, the spokeswoman said. Waste Management officials did not provide specific details about the incident, saying they still are trying to determine exactly what happened.
"We're conducting a thorough investigation, and we're all trying to determine what could have led to this event," Stern said. "Our employees are trained extensively in safety and all wear yellow vests and hard hats while working."
Waste Management officials visited the Macias family at their San Leandro home Tuesday.
Macias' daughters described her as a family-oriented woman who had a positive attitude and enjoyedshopping and singing Mexican folk songs. She especially liked to stay busy.
"She loved to work," her daughter, Maria Macias, said, her voice cracking with emotion. "She was a workaholic, and she refused to retire."
Macias and her husband, Victor, 62, raised their three children in the East Bay, where they settled in the early 1970s, family members said. Eva Macias was born in La Palma, Mexico, a small town in the state of Michoacan -- about 125 miles west of Mexico City. The couple immigrated to Illinois in 1968 before moving to Northern California a few years later. A mother of three children, Macias had five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, her daughter said.
"She was outgoing and friendly," Maria Macias said. "She had friends everywhere, and she loved to get together with family and cook."
Macias' daughters said they are planning to schedule a viewing for Sunday and funeral services for Monday but still are finalizing the details.
In addition to her husband and elder daughter, Macias is survived by her daughter, Anna Macias; and was predeceased in 2000 by her son, Rafael Macias, family members said.
On Monday afternoon, operations at the Waste Management drop-off area were suspended after the fatal accident, while other work at the 52-acre plant continued for the rest of the day, Stern said. All operations resumed Tuesday at the drop-off area, where the public is encouraged to deliver wood, metals and recyclables for plant employees to sift through.
Macias' co-workers are a core group of 22 employees who had performed six years of injury-free work before the fatal accident, Stern said.
Waste Management officials provided grief counselors for plant workers Tuesday, as well as a 1-800 number for employees to call for counseling, the spokeswoman said.
"It was a tragic accident and we're all dealing with the loss," Stern said. "Needless to say, it's devastating to our employees. Our hearts go out to her family."
The death is being investigated by Cal-OSHA, said agency spokesman Peter Melton.
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