BACKGROUND: On a summer morning in the Appalachians, a chip hauler exited his cab at a mill’s truck scale. The weather was clear and dry.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: The truck driver was 35 years old and had several years’ experience driving tractor-trailers. He was fully trained. He had worked for this particular trucking firm for about seven months hauling chips. The driver was wearing personal protective equipment required at the scale.
UNSAFE ACT AND CONDITION: The driver had unloaded his trailer of chips at the truck dumper and pulled onto the truck scale to weigh out. The driver dismounted by climbing down the cab’s steps, facing forward instead of backing down facing the steps and grasping the handrail. He had not noticed that a quart of motor oil had apparently fallen out of the truck that had weighed out ahead of him. The container had been run over, splashing oil over the walkway and scale platform.
ACCIDENT: As the driver stepped down on the walkway grate, he fell down due to the slippery surface.
INJURY: An ambulance was called and he was taken to a local hospital. Due to the fall, he had severely twisted his right knee. He also injured his shoulder and back when he tried to catch himself as he was falling. He did not require surgery, but he underwent several weeks of physical therapy. He missed approximately one month of work.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTION: When mounting and dismounting trucks, loaders, and other logging equipment, face the steps. Always use the “three-point system” of one foot and two hands or one hand and two feet in contact with the steps and the handholds on the truck’s cab. Keep steps and walking surfaces clear of mud, oil, ice, debris, etc. Be alert to conditions that can cause injury.
Courtesy of the Forest Resources Association: https://www.forestresources.org/