On February 12, 2011, a 41 year- old grader operator with 15 years of experience was killed at a phosphate rock operation. The victim and a coworker were standing and talking when he was struck by a grader that was backing up. The accident occurred in a staging area where equipment operators were inspecting their equipment before the shift.
Best Practices
- Train all persons to recognize work place hazards and to stay clear of normal paths of travel for mobile equipment.
- Regularly monitor work practices and reinforce their importance. Take immediate action to correct unsafe conditions or work practices.
- Designate a specific area, clear of mobile equipment, where persons can meet before the shift starts.
- Install cameras and collision avoidance systems on mobile equipment to protect persons.
- Ensure that illumination is adequate at the work site.
- Before moving mobile equipment, look in the direction of travel, use all mirrors, cameras, backup alarms, and installed proximity detection devices to ensure no one is in the intended path.
- Sound the horn to warn persons of movement and allow time to move to a safe location.
- Communicate with mobile equipment operators and ensure they acknowledge your presence.
- Wear high visibility clothing when working around mobile equipment.
- Consider use of wearable strobes when near mobile equipment.
Click here for: MSHA Preliminary Report (pdf), MSHA Investigation Report(pdf), Overview(powerpoint), Overview (pdf).