Fatality Narrative: Orchard Supervisor Run Over by Tractor and Attached Tank Sprayer - Slideshow

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  Washington (State). Department of Labor and Industries
• Description:
  On July 4, 2012, an apple orchard supervisor died when a tractor and an attached tank sprayer ran over him while he was making repairs to the sprayer. The 44-year-old victim had worked at the orchard for 16 years. On the day of the incident, the victim was changing a tire of the sprayer in the yard outside the orchard's repair shop. The sprayer was attached to a tractor that was more than 30 years old. Another worker left a note for the victim explaining that the sprayer was not getting enough pressure and then went to get parts so that the victim could complete the changing of the tire. In order to check the pressure jets or to adjust the position of the sprayer, the victim started the tractor while standing beside it. As he did so, the tractor and the attached sprayer moved forward and he was run over by their wheels. An investigation determined that the tractor was left in gear and had a defective ignition switch which allowed the tractor to start while in gear. Also, several employees were aware of the broken ignition switch, but did not report it to the orchard manager. Requirements: Ensure that employees do not use defective or unsafe tools and equipment. See WAC 296-307-018(2). Recommendations: Employers should always: Take defective equipment out of service until it is repaired and safe to operate. The tractor had a defective ignition switch which allowed the tractor to start while in gear. Train employees and ensure that they follow safe procedures when parking, starting or repairing tractors. Employees should be sure to: Never start a tractor engine from anywhere but the operator's seat. The victim started the tractor while standing beside it. Follow the manufacturer's recommended procedures when starting and parking a tractor. Never leave a tractor in gear when parking. The tractor was left in gear Report broken or unsafe equipment. Several employees were aware of the broken ignition switch, but did not report it to the orchard manager. Description provided by NIOSH
• Subjects:
  • Agriculture
  • Mortality
  • Occupational Health
  • Safety
• Keywords:
  • Fatalities
  • Agricultural machinery
  • Agriculture
  • Tractors
  • Spraying equipment
  • Equipment operators
  • Equipment maintenance
• Series:
  Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Reports (FACE)
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Report
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-6
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20060817
• Citation:
  Olympia, WA: Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, 71-122-2013s, 2013 Sep; :1-6
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2013
• Performing Organization:
  Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Fatality narrative: orchard supervisor run over by tractor and attached tank sprayer - slideshow
• End Date:
  20260630
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/229033/cdc_229033_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 277.72 KB]
• Collection(s):
  Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
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