Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report in Kentucky: Backhoe Operator Dies After Backhoe Tips Over

摘要

On April 5, 2002, a 55 year-old male (decedent, and owner of the company) died from injuries received when a backhoe he was operating over turned on its side. He and the job foreman were laying pipe for a water line. They were using a backhoe to carry the pipe from a trailer to a pipeline ditch. A portion of the ditch was not directly accessible with a backhoe. To access the ditch, the backhoe needed to be driven through a garden, and turned toward the ditch at a 90-degree angle. The decedent had placed the pipe in the ditch, then turned the machine around and tried to exit the area. He had the bucket and outriggers up in the air instead of close to the ground. Upon exiting the area, the right tire ran up on to a tree stump causing the backhoe to tip over on its left side. The operator fell out of the backhoe and was pinned underneath the left rear cab standard. Death was due to crushing injuries. Recommendations: (1) Heavy equipment operators should use safety equipment provided by the manufacturer such as a seatbelt. The seatbelt was already part of the equipment. (2) Before starting, work sites should be inventoried for hazards and ways to avoid hazards should be communicated to employees. (3) Machinery should be operated in a safe manner.