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Racetrack Safety Crewmember Struck by Racecar
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2019/08/05
[PDF-1.10 MB]
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Description:In fall 2016, a male racetrack safety crewmember in his 40s died when he was struck by a racecar while on the track directing traffic under Caution conditions. During the race, a racecar had dropped oil or some other fluid on the track and the Caution was issued (via radio communication to all track personnel, racecar drivers and Safety Crew); also Caution lights (yellow flashing lights) at the entrance of Turns 1 and 3 were lit. When a caution was issued, all racecars were required to line up single file and travel approximately 20-25 mph around the track until the caution is over. The Safety Crew, wearing the required firefighter turnout gear and radio communication, left their station behind the concrete wall near the exit of Turn 2 and drove to the area of the racetrack where the oil/fluid was located to lay down oil-dry and move the disabled racecar off the track. While laying down the oil-dry, the Safety Crew heard through radio communication that the decedent had been struck. The decedent, who was wearing the required firefighter turnout gear and radio communication, left the station near Turn 2 but did not communicate his intentions to the other safety crewmembers. He stood on the outer/elevated portion of the track to direct the racecars to form the single file line and drive along the inner lanes of the track. A witness indicated that as the racecars came out of Turn 2, one of the cars came out of the single file. The driver attempted to avoid striking the decedent and the decedent attempted to get out of the way. The decedent was struck and the car propelled him 20-25 feet to the inner lanes of the track. The race was stopped and all track crewmembers responded to the area. Emergency responders on site treated the decedent, who was airlifted to a nearby airport and then transported to the hospital where he was declared dead in the emergency room. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS - Key contributing factors identified in this investigation include: 1. Decedent on track without protection of safety vehicle. 2. Race car driver did not follow Caution rules. 3. Decedent did not communicate with other safety team members. 4. No written safety procedures for track workers. RECOMMENDATIONS - MIFACE investigators concluded that, to help prevent similar occurrences, employers should: 1. Race track owners should utilize National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 610: Guide for Emergency and Safety Operations at Motorsports Venues to guide development of standard operating procedures for their Safety Crews. 2. Any paid or volunteer personnel having an assignment or defined responsibility at a motorsports facility or serving a designated function at a motorsports venue should receive training commensurate with their responsibility.
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Pages in Document:1-11
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NIOSHTIC Number:20059510
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NTIS Accession Number:PB2021-100146
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Citation:Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, FACE 16MI109, 2019 Aug; :1-11
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Contact Point Address:MIFACE (Michigan Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation), Michigan State University (MSU) Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 909 Fee Road, 117 West Fee Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824-1315
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Federal Fiscal Year:2019
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Performing Organization:Michigan State University
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Peer Reviewed:False
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Start Date:2005/07/01
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Source Full Name:National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
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End Date:2026/06/30
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Resource Number:FACE-16MI109
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