Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report: Seventeen-Year-Old Laborer at Salvage Lumber Operation Crushed by Forklift That Tipped Over in New York

摘要

On July 10, 2000, a 17-year-old laborer (the victim) working at a salvage lumber operation was fatally injured when the sit-down type forklift he was operating overturned. The youth had been asked to move the forklift from the lumber storage area to the resaw area when he returned to work from break. He had offered a ride to a coworker who was also returning to work. She had accepted and was riding on the right side of the forklift, holding onto the overhead guard. They had traveled about 135 feet when the victim turned sharply to the left, and the forklift tipped and overturned to the right. The coworker jumped from the machine while the victim was thrown or jumped from the operator's seat. The victim's head was caught between the overhead guard and the ground while the coworker's ankle was pinned. Other workers heard screams and went to the forklift. They raised the machine to free the coworker and pulled the victim from under the overhead guard. Emergency personnel were notified and arrived within 15 minutes. The victim was transported to a local emergency room where he was pronounced dead. The coworker was transported to a local emergency room where she was treated for minor ankle injuries and released. NIOSH investigators gave recommendations to help prevent similar occurrences.