Menzies Ramp Agent In Fatal Accident Was Not Wearing Seatbelt, Says Menzies

April 15, 2014
Cal-OSHA is investigating the death, but an early statement from the airport indicated Cesar Valenzuela lost control on an airport service road.

The baggage tractor driver at Los Angeles International Airport who died in a February airfield accident was not wearing a seat belt, a violation of company policy and federal guidelines, a representative for his employer said.

The death of Menzies Aviation employee Cesar Valenzuela on Feb. 21 highlights a problem that airport workers know well. Driving a baggage tractor can be a hazardous job, made even more dangerous when workers — who are often in a rush — neglect to wear seat belts.

Cal-OSHA is investigating Valenzuela’s death — a spokesman said the report is not yet complete — but an early statement from the airport indicated he lost control on an airport service road. There were no other vehicles involved. At the time, a Coroner’s Department spokesman suggested Valenzuela, 51, may have then fallen out of the tug.

There have been other recent tug accidents at LAX, according to results from a California Public Records Act request.

More here.