Tilt tray truck fatality (26 April 2021)

A 71-year-old male sustained fatal injuries while loading a car onto a tilt tray truck in Singleton NSW.  It is believed that the car came off the tilt tray causing the worker to fall and strike his head on the pavement.

Safety information

Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with tilt truck operations including uncontrolled movements of vehicles. Ensure plant, structures, systems of work and sufficient training and instruction are provided to ensure work can be carried out in a safe manner.

Tow truck operators must:

• Ensure drivers are competent to undertake the work and hold a current Tow Truck Drivers Certificate and Drivers Licence
• Ensure the tow truck’s required equipment is available, inspected and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations
• Ensure the truck and equipment deployed is appropriate for the vehicle being retrieved
• Make sure workers are provided with training and instruction to safely use appropriate recovery systems
• Routinely monitor and review all control measures

Workers must take reasonable care for their own health and safety, and comply with any reasonable, policy, instruction, or procedure of the tow truck operator for which they are working.

Tow truck drivers should:

• Make sure you have the necessary training and experience to identify hazards associated with uncontrolled movement of vehicles
• Ensure the weight of the vehicle being retrieved does not exceed the Safe Working Load (SWL) of the tow truck, its winch or equipment such as hooks or towing eyes
• Check the Safe Working Load (SWL) for the truck and cradle is not exceeded when using the towing cradle for single vehicles or using the tilt tray and cradle when towing two vehicles. This includes towing a car and caravan in the case of a breakdown recovery

When preparing a vehicle for tow:

• Park the truck on level ground. When this is not possible, be aware of the vehicle limitations and what to do when parking on a gradient
• Use chocks behind the wheels to prevent uncontrolled movement
• Always apply the parking brake when exiting the vehicle
• Know the components and limitations of the braking system
• When lifting a vehicle onto the tow truck, use designated plant and equipment to secure to appropriate connection points, check the braking systems and steering controls for damage
• At all times stand to the side of vehicle when connecting a winch to vehicles

More information

• Working with or around mobile plant – SafeWork NSW\
• Managing the risks of plant in the workplace – Code of Practice
• Uncontrolled movement of vehicles - SafeWork NSW
• Working with super tilt heavy vehicle recovery trucks & trailers – SafeWork NSW

Download the PDF of this Incident Information Release as a PDF