A tire contractor suffered a serious injury when the front-end loader he was repairing fell on and struck his hart hat, according to a report by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). The victim was wedged between the cribbing and loader frame.
Before the incident, the front-end loader was lifted and placed on cribbing to repair a flat tire. The contractor was underneath the loader adjusting one of the lifting jacks when the cribbing shifted causing the loader to fall.
MSHA has issued best practice guidelines following the accident.
- Ensure that blocking material is competent, substantial, and adequate to support and stabilize the load.
- Establish and discuss safe work procedures.
- Examine work areas and identify and control all hazards before starting any work.
- Make sure proper tools and equipment are used to completethe job.
- Do not place yourself in a position that will expose you to hazards while performing a task.
- Monitor personnel routinely to determine that safe work procedures are followed.
- Maintain good communication between co-workers.
- Ensure that your contractors have received the appropriate task training.
