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Food Pantry Volunteer Pinned by a Table Against a Wood Cabinet When the Table was Struck by Backing Vehicle
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2015/12/21
[PDF-545.14 KB]
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Description:In fall 2014, a food pantry volunteer in her 60s died when a sports utility vehicle (SUV) backed into a table, causing the table to pin the volunteer against a wood cabinet. The decedent and another volunteer were sitting in folding chairs behind the table, which was located approximately 12-15 feet from the overhead door opening. A third volunteer was sitting on the table. The SUV driver was driving the vehicle for the first time. To access the food pantry distribution area, the vehicle was backed up a slightly inclined concrete apron. The driver stated to the responding police department that, as he was backing up the concrete apron to the garage, his foot slipped off the brake pedal, hit the gas pedal, and accelerated in reverse. Other food pantry volunteers, who could see what was happening, yelled to the driver to stop the vehicle. The driver was unable to stop the vehicle before it struck the volunteer sitting on the table. The vehicle had enough momentum to push the table to the back wall. The decedent was pinned by the table against a wood cabinet. Emergency response was summoned as her fellow volunteers initiated CPR. Emergency response arrived, continued resuscitative efforts while the decedent was transported to a nearby hospital. She was declared dead upon arrival to the emergency room. Contributing Factors: 1. Backing vehicles into pantry distribution area. 2. Position of table in direct line with backing vehicles. RECOMMENDATIONS/DISCUSSION: 1. Develop a "traffic control plan" to minimize the need for clients to back a vehicle near or into the food pantry/distribution center. The plan should review parking options and designate vehicle parking spaces outside of the pantry area for clients to pick up pantry goods and clothing. 2. If the configuration of a food pantry does not permit outside parking and backing a vehicle near or into the food pantry/distribution center is necessary, the food pantry should designate and train a volunteer to act as a spotter and position work tables and volunteers out of the line of vehicle travel. 3. Volunteers should wear high-visibility vests while distributing the food to client vehicles. 4. Food pantry volunteers should be trained on hazard identification/hazard awareness and how to control the identified hazards.
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Pages in Document:1-7
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NIOSHTIC Number:20049169
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NTIS Accession Number:PB2017-101400
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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 14MI095, 2015 Dec; :1-7
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Federal Fiscal Year:2016
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Performing Organization:Michigan State University
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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-14MI095
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