Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) for Oregon: Logging Worker Killed While Riding on Step of Skidder.

摘要

On October 20, 2005, an 18-year-old skidder operator at a logging site was killed when he fell off a moving skidder while riding as a passenger on an access step outside the cab. At the end of the workday, the operator and a coworker were responsible for fueling the chipper at the landing site, and were using a skidder to go to retrieve the fuel truck, located about 750 feet away up a dirt skid road. The operator rode on the step outside the cab - which is not intended for passengers - holding onto handrails on the door and rear of the cab for support. The skidder was running in second gear at half throttle on nearly level ground. The two skidder operators were talking during the ride, until the coworker noticed his passenger did not respond. The coworker discovered the operator lying in the road behind him, about three-quarters of the way to the fuel truck. The victim had been crushed by the right rear wheel of the skidder. The coworker alerted other workers onsite and basic first aid was attempted. The victim died at the scene shortly after the arrival of first responders from the local fire department. Cause of Death: Severe head trauma. Recommendations: (1) Never ride as a passenger on a machine unless an appropriate seat and operator restraint system is available. (2) Employers must develop a formal training process for operators of mobile machinery, including written documentation and regular evaluation. (3) Employers must demonstrate a commitment to safety and encourage employee participation.