In reference to an article you published in the Jan. 17 issue on roadside-servicing safety issues ("Roadside technicians face 'high risk' situations"), I wanted to bring to your attention a bit more background and bring to light the fact that potentially life-threatening workplace accidents such as these can carry emotional consequences in addition to physical injuries.
Rod Boone, the Colony Tire employee who was referenced in the article, is a 40-year-old senior road service technician.
In the accident profiled, Rod had been underneath the tractor trailer, jacking it up to repair a rear tire. The wheel was stuck so he crawled out from under the trailer to get a tool used to loosen wheels.
He was getting that tool from his service truck when the pickup rammed into the back of the service truck at full speed. The massive impact threw Rod into the ditch where he lay unconscious for approximately 5 minutes.
He was transported to the hospital by ambulance with serious injuries but no broken bones. After being released from the hospital, he was placed on light duty due to post-traumatic stress disorder.
Several weeks later, Rod was released for full duty but refused to go back on the service truck.
After approximately six months of in-house technician duties, Rod resigned. Thank God Rod survived, but sadly he is no longer with our company.
Charlie Creighton
Colony Tire Corp., Edenton, N.C.
