Fatal Accident Circumstances and Epidemiology (FACE) Report: County Garbage Collector Dies After Falling from Back End of Moving Garbage Truck, November 29, 1990.

摘要

The case of a 44 year old male county garbage collector who died after falling 12 inches from the back end of a moving garbage truck was examined. The employer was a county solid waste sanitation department that had been in operation for 23 years. The department employed 33 garbage collectors and 12 garbage truck drivers. The county has a general written safety policy. The victim and a coworker rode inside the truck cab to a designated pickup area. As they made pickups within the area they stood on footrest platforms at the rear left and right ends of the truck. The platforms measure 12 inches by 8 inches and were 12 inches above the ground. The victim has not been issued a hardhat. He decided not to ride in the cab, as was required, to the next location, because he was feeling nauseated and wanted to get some fresh air. A driver on the highway behind the truck saw the victim convulse and fall to the left of the platform. The victim died of a skull fracture and cerebral contusions and lacerations. It was recommended that garbage collectors remain inside vehicles with fastened seat belts while traveling to and from collection areas; that workers do not perform potentially hazardous tasks when their ability to work safely becomes impaired; that garbage collectors wear approved protective helmets on the job; and that training be provided.