Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for Indiana: Material Handler Dies After Being Struck By a Mold Envelope Dropped From a Forklift.

摘要

On June 5, 1996, a 42-year-old male (the victim) employed as a material handler at an aluminum wheel manufacturing company, died instantly after being struck by a mold envelope which was dropped from a forklift. The victim had parked his forklift out of the aisle and had gotten down to talk to a co-worker. The victim then stepped out from behind a rack of aluminum wheels (called a tree) as a forklift was coming around the corner with its load. The forklift was carrying a mold envelope containing two half-moon shaped molds in cradles. The mold envelope was 59 inches wide, 35 inches deep, and 50 inches high. The combined weight of mold envelope and mold components was 4368 pounds. The victim walked into the aisle with his back turned away from the oncoming forklift. Evidence suggests the forklift operator slammed on the brakes causing the forklift to pitch forward allowing the mold envelope to slide off the forks striking the victim and killing him instantly. The forklift operator jumped off the truck and with the help of several co-workers removed the mold envelope from the victim. The emergency medical service (EMS), police, and the county coroner were called. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by the county coroner. The FACE investigator concluded that, in order to prevent similar incidents employers should: (1) Ensure that workers continually adhere to the safe work procedures that have been established by the employer; (2) Ensure that if the load being carried obstructs forward view, the operator shall be required to travel with the load trailing; (3) Ensure all traffic regulations be observed, including authorized plant speed limits.