Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for New Jersey: Tow Truck Helper Run Over While Unloading a Car from a Flatbed Truck

摘要

On November 11, 1999, a 41-year-old tow truck operator was run over by his tow truck while unloading a car at a scrapyard. The victim and his partner were unloading two cars from a flatbed tow truck, one car secured on the flatbed and a second towed behind the truck. After the car in tow was unloaded, the truck's flatbed was raised to unload the second car. There were some problems unloading the second car, so the tow truck operator jerked the truck back and forth to release it. In doing so, he backed over the victim who was working behind the truck. He then ran over him a second time as he moved forward, with the truck coming to rest with the victim pinned under the rear wheel. Scrapyard employees tried to rescue the victim by lifting the truck with a grapple crane but the grapple slipped and the truck fell back on him. The victim was freed on the next attempt but died despite efforts by police and EMS to resuscitate him. NJ FACE investigators concluded that, to prevent similar incidents in the future, these safety guidelines should be followed: (1) Tow truck operators must use caution while operating and backing their vehicles. (2) Employers should become familiar with available resources on safety standards and safe work practices.