Duty of Care

On Wednesday morning, October 21, 2026, Jaime Bell, 54, of Madill, Oklahoma, was killed in a workplace accident at J&I Manufacturing in Madill, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said, as reported by KXII.

According to the Highway Patrol, Bell was on the bed of a semi trailer helping move pipe to a forklift when the semi driver pulled forward, causing him to lose his balance and fall. He died after hitting his head on the trailer. KXII said the story was still developing.

When loads come off flatbed trailers, the defenses to check are how the driver and the loader communicate, whether the truck is parked, braked, and chocked with the keys controlled until everyone is clear, and whether loads can be handled from the ground instead of from the trailer bed. These are planning and communication controls, not just individual care.

• KXII