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A 23-Year-Old Worker Pulled into a Wood Chipper on His First Day on the Job
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2018/11/07
[PDF-1.84 MB]
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Description:At 1:15 p.m. on May 4, 2016, a 23-year-old laborer (victim) hired by a tree service contractor (employer) was pulled into a wood chipper on his frst day on the job. The victim, who had never done any tree work before, was hired by the employer to assist ground work at three residential job sites. All three jobs involved cutting down trees and chipping the cuttings with the wood chipper. At the frst site, the employer demonstrated to the victim how to feed the branches into the chipper and how to turn the machine off. He also showed the victim how the feed control bar and the "last chance cables" worked. The employer instructed the victim not to feed the chipper when the feed wheels were engaged. However, he also told the victim that he could feed the chipper when the experienced workers were nearby or next to the machine. The work scene at the second job site was captured by a surveillance video camera on the property. The images showed that the victim was feeding the chipper when the feed wheels were engaged, leaning down and reaching into the chipper, and pushing small debris into the chipper with his hands. The incident occurred at the third job site. No one saw the instant when the victim was pulled into the chipper. The employer stated that he saw the victim right before the incident. The victim was standing by the chipper and "there was nothing to pick up and put in the chipper". Less than a minute later, he heard the chipper making a "weird noise". He turned and saw the victim's feet sticking out of the chipper. The employer rushed to the chipper and turned it off before calling 911. The EMS and police arrived within minutes and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The wood chipper was examined by the manufacturer 12 days after the incident. The examination did not fnd any defciency or malfunctioning parts on the chipper that might have contributed to the incident. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS - Key contributing factors identifed in this investigation include: 1. Inexperienced and untrained workers were assigned to feed chipper; 2. Worker training on chipper hazards and safe feeding techniques were not provided; 3. Safe feeding techniques were not followed; 4. Workers were not required to wear proper clothing and PPE; and 5. Adequate supervision was not provided. RECOMMENDATIONS - NY FACE investigators concluded that, to help prevent similar occurrences, employers should: 1. Ensure that workers follow safe feeding techniques recommended by chipper manufacturers. 2. Ensure that all employees receive proper and adequate training before assigning them to feed wood chippers. 3. Ensure that workers wear proper clothing and personal protective equipment when operating/feeding wood chippers. 4. Strictly follow manufacturer's requirements and instructions when operating and feeding wood chippers. 5. Always keep the user's manual on the chipper and make it accessible to workers. 6. Chipper manufacturers should develop fully automatic feed control devices to prevent fatal caught-in incidents. 7. More research and resources should be dedicated and allocated to help self-employed and small businesses achieve better worker protection.
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Pages in Document:1-10
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NIOSHTIC Number:20055874
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NTIS Accession Number:PB2019-101093
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Citation:Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, FACE 16NY024, 2018 Nov; :1-10
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Email:BOH@health.state.ny.us
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Federal Fiscal Year:2019
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Performing Organization:New York State Department of Health/Health Research Incorporated
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Peer Reviewed:False
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Start Date:2005/07/01
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End Date:2026/06/30
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Resource Number:FACE-16NY024
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