Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for Nebraska: Trailer Court Owner Killed in Mobile Trash Compactor

摘要

A 45-year-old trailer court owner was killed when he apparently lost his balance and fell through the opening in an operating mobile trash compactor. The victim was preparing to pick up garbage with another employee in a trailer court he owned. He stepped onto the tongue of the compactor to look inside, slipped and fell. While falling his right hand made contact with a control lever that lowered the compactor hatch plate, striking the victim across the shoulder blades and back. Shortly after, the employee of the victim saw he was in trouble, turned off the machine and contacted local emergency personnel. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The Nebraska Workforce Development, Department of Labor's Investigator concluded that to help prevent future similar occurrences, employers should: (1) ensure that all equipment safety devices are in operational condition before being placed in service. (2) ensure that all workers are aware of the basic elements of a Lock-out/Tag-out program. (3) ensure that workers do not stand over, on or across equipment or machines while in operation. (4) ensure that equipment is completely shut down prior to performing any cleaning or maintenance tasks.