MWRA Worker Collapses In Arlington While Shoveling, Dies

ARLINGTON, MA — An MWRA worker collapsed into a snow bank early this morning while shoveling snow and ice in town and was taken to the hospital, where the employee later died, a Massachusetts Water Resources Authority spokesperson said Friday afternoon.

“While clearing snow at a drinking water storage facility in Arlington, an employee of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority suffered a medical emergency. The individual was rushed to Mount Auburn Hospital where they later passed away," MWRA Communications Director Ria Convery said in an email to Patch.

The employee’s name is being withheld at this time.

"The entire staff of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority extends their thoughts and prayers to the individual’s family and friends at this very difficult time,” Convery said.

Arlington police responded to the medical call on Fisher Road early this morning at around 4 a.m., Captain Richard Flynn of the Arlington Police told Patch.

Extreme weather has been associated with a higher mortality rate by researchers. Between 2006 and 2010 two thirds of deaths related to weather were those that happened during cold weather, according to a study by the CDC. Among adults, cold-related death rates increased with age, particularly for those aged 75 and over. Age-adjusted weather-related death rates for men were higher than those for women.

In the past, a major snow hazard for workers is not so much related to snow shoveling near the ground, but removing snow from heights, such as roofs, according to MassCOSH.

“Often workers climb directly onto the roofs or structures and use equipment such as shovels, snow rakes, snow blowers and ladders to access roofs and apply deicing materials,” saidRick Rabin, a Technical Assistance and Training Associate at MassCOSH. “Often workers who perform these activities have little experience or training on the hazards they may encounter. It is incumbent upon the employer to evaluate the hazards and provide the necessary training before workers begin the work.”

Based on findings of worksite investigations by the organization, falls cause the most worker fatalities and injuries during rooftop snow removal. Workers may fall off roof edges, through skylights, and from ladders and aerial lifts. Workers may also be injured or killed by a roof collapse.

In order to prevent worker injury when removing snow from roofs, OSHA requires employers to take the following precautions:

• Use snow removal methods that do not involve workers going onto roofs, when possible.
• Provide fall protection equipment to workers who go onto roofs.
• Guard skylights so workers do not fall through.
• Mark skylights, roof drains, vents that might be hidden by the snow.
• Avoid contact with electrical power lines. Keep ladders, aerial lifts and workers at least 10 feet away from power lines.
• Evaluate weight load exerted on roof to ensure that the roof can hold the snow plus workers and equipment. Do not pile snow on roof.
• Train workers to recognize fall hazards, use fall protection harnesses and anchor points correctly, use aerial lifts safely, use ladders safely, and avoid electrical power lines.
• Protect people on the ground from snow and ice falling off the roof during removal operations.

(For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Arlington Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Updates to come when we get them.

Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch