5 Life-Saving Lessons From The Terrifying Moment A Semi Hits A Bucket Worker

The shocking reality of infrastructure work was laid bare on a recent day in late 2025 when a dramatic accident sent ripples through the utility and transportation industries. Video footage, which quickly went viral, captured the terrifying moment an 18-wheeler semi-truck slammed into an elevated utility bucket, leaving a Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) worker dangling precariously high above the traffic in Louisiana. This incident, often summarized by the chilling phrase "semi hits bucket worker," was a near-fatal tragedy that serves as a powerful, immediate case study on the absolute necessity of stringent aerial lift safety protocols and fall protection equipment.

The worker, who was suspended by his harness after the violent impact, was incredibly fortunate to walk away with only minor injuries, a testament to the life-saving role of personal protective equipment (PPE). The event, which occurred while the employee was working on a traffic light, highlights the extreme dangers utility workers face daily from distracted or inattentive motorists, especially when operating Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs)—formerly known as aerial work platforms or bucket trucks—in high-traffic corridors.

The Anatomy of a Near-Fatal Struck-By Accident

The incident in Livingston Parish, near Denham Springs, Louisiana, involved a DOTD employee performing routine maintenance on a traffic light. The worker was positioned in a boom-supported lift, or bucket truck, several feet in the air. The work zone, despite likely having some form of traffic control devices, was breached by a large commercial vehicle—an 18-wheeler—whose height was sufficient to strike the elevated bucket.

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The force of the semi-truck collision was enough to violently flip the bucket, ejecting the worker. His life was saved entirely by his personal fall arrest system (PFAS), specifically the safety harness and lanyard, which kept him tethered to the boom. This single piece of equipment prevented a catastrophic fall from a significant height, which would have almost certainly resulted in a fatality or severe, life-altering injuries.

This type of event is classified as a "struck-by accident," a leading cause of death in the construction and utility sectors. OSHA statistics and CDC reports consistently show that workers operating aerial lifts and bucket trucks face significant risks, including electrocution, falls, and being struck by vehicles or objects.

• Location of Incident: Livingston Parish / Denham Springs, Louisiana
• Equipment Involved: Bucket Truck / Boom-Supported Aerial Lift (MEWP)
• Striking Vehicle: 18-Wheeler Semi-Truck
• Worker's Employer: Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD)
• Injury Outcome: Minor injuries; worker did not require a hospital trip
• Life-Saving Factor: Personal Fall Arrest System (Harness and Lanyard)

Critical OSHA and ANSI Standards That Save Lives

The "semi hits bucket worker" incident provides a stark reminder that compliance with occupational safety standards is not just regulatory paperwork—it is the difference between life and death. Both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) have established mandatory requirements for the operation of MEWPs and work in high-traffic areas.

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1. Mandatory Fall Protection and PFAS

The most crucial lesson from the Louisiana incident is the absolute necessity of fall protection. OSHA mandates that workers in a bucket truck must be tied off at all times. The worker's harness, lanyard, and anchor point are collectively known as the Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS). This system is designed to stop a fall, limiting the force on the worker's body. The worker in the video was saved because he was properly tied off to the boom or bucket.

Relevant Entities/Regulations:

• OSHA Standard: 29 CFR 1926.453 (Aerial Lifts) and 29 CFR 1910.268 (Telecommunications - Training)
• Key Requirement: Workers must always stand firmly on the floor of the bucket and never use planks, ladders, or other devices for a working position. A body belt or harness must be worn and a lanyard attached to the boom or bucket.

2. Establishing a Safe Work Zone and Traffic Control

Work near or on roadways requires a comprehensive work zone setup to protect the utility vehicle and the personnel. The primary goal is separation and visibility. The semi-truck's failure to recognize or respect the work zone was the direct cause of the collision.

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Relevant Entities/Regulations:

• OSHA Guideline: Establish an appropriate and safe work zone if working in a high-traffic area.
• Best Practice: Use highly visible traffic control devices, including cones, barrels, warning signs, and flaggers, to channel traffic away from the immediate work area. The MEWP itself should be positioned to maximize visibility and minimize exposure to passing traffic.
• Equipment Entities: Outriggers, wheel chocks, traffic cones, barricades, warning signs.

The Shift to MEWP Standards: A Focus on Risk Assessment

In recent years, the industry has transitioned from the older ANSI A92 standards for Aerial Work Platforms (AWPs) to the new American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A92.20/22 standards for Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs). This change places a greater emphasis on a comprehensive Safe Use Program and Risk Assessment before any work begins.

A pre-job risk assessment, a central tenet of the new ANSI MEWP standards, would specifically address the "struck-by" hazard in a high-traffic environment. This includes assessing the height of passing vehicles, the speed of traffic, and the proximity of the work to the travel lanes. Had the risk assessment been followed to the letter, it might have necessitated a full lane closure or the use of crash trucks (attenuator trucks) to provide a physical barrier between the semi-truck and the bucket worker.

Key MEWP/LSI Entities:

• Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWP)
• ANSI/SAIA A92.22 Standard
• Safe Use Program
• Risk Assessment
• Boom-Supported Lifts
• Attenuator Trucks (Crash Trucks)

The terrifying collision in Louisiana is a powerful, undeniable argument for a zero-tolerance approach to safety compliance. For every utility and telecommunications worker who risks their life above the pavement, the correct use of a fall protection harness, combined with rigorous work zone safety and adherence to OSHA and ANSI/MEWP standards, remains the most critical line of defense against a catastrophic accident.