Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for Nebraska: Maintenance Worker Crushed Between Forklift and Truck

摘要

A 55-year old forklift operator was killed when he was pinned between the forklift mast and the front of a semi tractor trailer truck. A loaded semi tractor-trailer was sitting on a gravel parking lot. The lot had a slight 4 to 5 degree slope to the rear of the truck, and was covered with 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches of ice. The truck operator was unable to gain enough traction to move, so summoned help. The victim brought a forklift and log chain to the scene. He placed the forklift facing towards the front of the truck, dismounted the forklift, and walked to the truck. As he was attaching the chain to the truck's front bumper, the forklift rolled forwards, pinning him between the forklift's mast and the truck. He was taken to a local hospital where he died two hours later. The Nebraska Workforce Development, Department of Labor's Investigator concluded that to prevent future similar occurrences: (1) Employers should ensure that only trained and authorized operators shall be permitted to operate a powered industrial truck. (2) Employers should ensure that operator training programs contain all mandatory instructional requirements. (3) Employers should ensure that powered industrial truck training includes both truck-related and workplace-related topics, i.e. surface conditions where the vehicle will be operated. (4) Employers should ensure that forklift trucks with known mechanical problems are removed from service until fixed. (5) Employers should ensure that powered industrial trucks are inspected before being placed into service. (6) Employers should ensure that refresher training and evaluation is conducted when warranted. (7) Employers should ensure that recommendations/suggestions made by the established Safety Committee have 'persons responsible' assigned, corrective actions taken and the results listed in the monthly meeting minutes.