A Texas truck driver died tragically last Friday morning, following a bizarre industrial accident at the Bayport Container Terminal in the Port of Houston.
Truck Driver Operated “Mule” at Bayport Container Terminal
The tragedy unfolded around 4:00 a.m. on February 21st, as a container was being loaded onto a ship.
According to a Port of Houston Authority spokesperson, the deceased was operating the “mule,” a customized truck that moves cargo containers within the terminal yard. For reasons that aren’t entirely clear, the truck’s cabin was not detached from the container.
The vehicle was hoisted into the air with the driver still inside. Sadly, he died at the scene.
While authorities have not identified the victim, they have confirmed that he was a member of the International Longshoremen’s Association.
Dangers of Longshore Work
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, approximately 98,000 workers are employed at marine terminals and port operations across the United States. From 2011 through 2017, these workers were five times more likely to die on the job compared to the U.S. workforce overall. Their rate of nonfatal injuries and illnesses was nearly double during the same period.
Marine terminals and port operations are dynamic environments that experience a large volume of heavy truck traffic. Other hazards common to longshore work include extreme temperatures, heavy lifting, repetitive motions, work in awkward postures, chemical exposures, work in enclosed spaces, and working around dangerous machinery.
Maritime occupations also involve moving containers and other heavy bulk loads, with the potential to cause serious injury or death if a mistake is made.
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Our Undefeated Longshoremen Accident Lawyers are investigating the tragic death at the Bayport Container Terminal and will post an update if new information becomes available.
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