Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for California: Equipment Operator Dies When Ejected from and Run Over by His Pavement Compactor

摘要

A 46-year old male equipment operator (decedent) died after being run over by the rear wheels of his pavement compactor during an asphalt paving job. The decedent was being followed by a co-worker driving another pavement compactor. The transmission of the co-worker's compactor was taken out of gear by the co-worker in an attempt to shift to first gear. The co-worker was not able to successfully re-engage the transmission. This caused the co-worker's compactor to freewheel and increase its downhill speed. The co-worker's compactor struck the decedent's compactor in the right rear. The decedent was ejected from his compactor which then ran over him. Neither the decedent nor the co-worker were wearing a seatbelt. None of the seatbelts provided were functional. The co-worker had not operated this type of compactor prior to the day of the incident and had not been trained in or oriented to its use. The CA/FACE investigator concluded that, in order to prevent future occurrences, as part of their Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) employers should: (1) ensure seatbelts are functional and that employees wear them at all times when they operate seatbelt-equipped vehicles. (2) ensure operators of construction equipment are properly trained in its use. (3) develop a formal, written equipment operation training program. In addition, heavy machinery manufacturers should: (4) design a machine's seatbelt system with interlocks that prevent the operation of the machine if seatbelts are not used.