Our safety talk today
is about a 32-year-old skid steer operator who died after being crushed by a
lift assembly while leaning out of his forklift.
The victim had lifted a load and placed a 2x4 beneath it for
stability.
He leaned out of his forklift to knock the 2x4 out with his
hammer.
The hammer did not reach the 2x4 so he leaned out of his
forklift to try to knock it out again.
His tool belt hit the lift control and the lift assembly
lowered on him.
His head was crushed between the forklift assembly and the
frame of the machine.
The seat and safety bar had an interlock function but may
not have been functioning or had been deactivated.
So here are some ways
we can prevent something like this from happening where we work.
Stay seated inside the protective cage when operating
skid-steer loaders. Turn equipment off before exiting.
Never operate equipment if safety systems or features have
been modified, or are not working properly. Conduct a check on safety features
before use and report any problems.
Avoid loose clothing and remove items, like tool belts, that
can interfere with safe operation of equipment.
Management or I must make sure that only trained operators
are allowed to operate equipment
Questions to Ask
“Do we have any equipment where the safety feature has been
deactivated?” What would prevent you from doing a safety check before each use?
“What do you all do when you see someone with a tool belt or
loose clothing while operating equipment?”
Discuss a similar situation at your current site.
Express your commitment to training people for each machine
they operate.
Commit to follow-up at the next safety talk.