Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for Massachusetts: Mechanic Repairing a Multi Terrain Loader Pinned between the Loader's Lift Arm and Frame

摘要

On October 16, 2009 a 65-year-old male heavy equipment mechanic (victim) was fatally injured while repairing a multi terrain loader. At the time of the incident, the multi terrain loader's lift arm had a fork attachment connected to it and the lift arm was in a raised position. The victim had positioned a step ladder underneath the loader's raised lift arm against the loader's cab and it appears that the victim was standing on the ladder at the time of the incident. A co-worker returning to the worksite found the victim crushed between the loader's lift arm, which was now in the lowered position, and the cab. The co-worker placed a call for emergency medical serviced (EMS). Within minutes EMS arrived and the victim was pronounced dead at the incident location. The Massachusetts FACE Program concluded that to prevent similar occurrences in the future, employers should: (1) Ensure that safeguards and interlocks are functioning properly, used and are never bypassed; (2) Ensure that the lift arm cylinder lock is engaged prior to exiting a multi terrain loader's cab during maintenance tasks requiring the lift arm to be in the raised position; (3) Ensure employees only start or access the controls of a multi terrain loader when seated in the loader's cab; (4) Develop, implement and enforce lockout/tagout procedures for maintenance tasks that include the use of the cylinder locks when the lift arm is required to be in the raised position; (5) Ensure employees are not performing potentially hazardous tasks alone in isolated areas; and (6) Develop, implement and enforce a safety and health program that addresses hazard recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions.