Sunday, February 8, 2015

MECHANIC CRUSHED UNDERNEATH FOUR-TON WOOD CHIPPING MACHINE



 



MECHANIC CRUSHED UNDERNEATH FOUR-TON WOOD CHIPPING MACHINE

A 54-year-old male mechanic at a tree trimming and removal company died after being crushed underneath an 8,000-pound wood chipping machine at a maintenance yard. 

On the day of the incident, the decedent and another worker were attempting to change the brakes on the wood chipper.  They were using a telescopic hydraulic jack to lift the chipper in order to remove the wheels. After one side of the wood chipper was lifted, a single jack stand (rated for three-tons, used in a pair) was placed under that side. 

The decedent went underneath the machine attempting to properly position the hydraulic jack on the axle to lift the other side. The jack slipped, the jack stand broke, and the wood chipper fell on top of the decedent, killing him. 

Contributing Factors

·         Working under a load/ overhead hazard
·         Proper load considerations
·         Work practices

Our investigators recommend that these safety guidelines be followed to prevent similar incidents: 

·         The machine should be lifted one side at a time, and then cribbed and blocked to prevent movement.
·         Jack stands should be selected according to the appropriate loading capacity, and are used and rated in pairs.
·         An expander should be used on the floor jack saddle to avoid having the worker going underneath the machine.
·         A safety and health plan based on a job hazard analysis should be developed by the employer and followed where workers are assigned tasks.




ALWAYS REMEMBER:
WHEN AN EMPLOYEE IS KILLED OR INJURED BY A PREVENTABLE WORKPLACE HAZARD, THIS IS NO ACCIDENT.  IT MEANS THE EMPLOYER FAILED TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM DANGERS THAT CAN CAUSE INJURY, ILLNESS OR, NEEDLESS DEATH