Truck driver crushed by excavator bucket
Date of incident: 28 September 2020
A 70-year-old truck driver was fatally crushed while unloading a 400-500kg excavator sieve bucket from a semi-trailer. The bucket was lashed to the semi-trailer. When the chains holding the bucket were released, the bucket slid and toppled off the truck, crushing the worker between the bucket and a bridge beam on the ground next to the truck.
Safety information
Businesses must implement ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with loading and unloading mobile plant equipment.
You must:
- check that the load has not shifted during transportation before releasing the transportation restraints
- develop and document a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS), in consultation with your workers, for unloading plant and equipment with a crane. Make sure all relevant workers understand and implement the SWMS.
- where necessary, sling the load to lifting equipment, such as a crane, prior to releasing the transportation restraints
- determine the weight or centre of gravity of the load, and the slinging technique to be used. A Dogging High Risk Licence is required for this type of work
- establish exclusion zones to make sure people are not placed within potential fall zones
More information
- Plant, machinery and equipment information
- Code of practice for managing the risks of plant in the workplace
- WorkSafe Qld video on unloading mobile plant
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