Safety Alert

VISIBILITY SAFETY ALERTS

1. Worker crushed under load when forklift tips

2. Working in traffic control zones—be prepared for high risk!

3. Worker dies, three others injured in boat crash

4. Worker dies after being struck by reversing dump truck

5. Spotter hit by grapple when working in blind conditions

6. Mill worker struck by mobile equipment

7. Forklift tips over, crushing operator

8. Garbage truck backs into pole, injuring worker on riding step

9. Ground worker struck and killed by paving equipment

10. Driver killed while working underneath logging truck

11. Landing worker run over

12. Diver killed during maintenance work

13. Establish procedures for working near mobile equipment

14. Maintain visual contact with the equipment operator

15. Use chokers instead of grapple — Eliminate blind casting when operator cannot
see the hooktender

16. Forklift operators — Move cautiously when vision obstructed

17. Stay clear of bundle bunk danger area

18. Ground crews and equipment operators — Establish eye contact before moving

19. Ground crews and equipment operators — Establish eye contact before moving

20. Watch for moving equipment

21. Do not remove guards

22. Stay clear of yarding cable

23. Drive according to road conditions

24. Run over by loader

25. Crane operator

26. Faller

27. Lumber strapper

28. Truck driver

29. Labourer

30. Warehouseman

31. Do Not Service Equipment While In Operation!

32. Landing man

33. Second loader

34. Forklift operator has restricted vision

Worker crushed under load when forklift tips

At a metal fabricating shop, a worker was operating a forklift, moving a load of metal

plates. The load—over 5½ feet (1½ metres) wide—weighed about 6,208 pounds (2,794

kilograms). The metal plates were being carried on a custom-made load-handling rack

attached to the forklift forks. This steel rack weighed 664 pounds (299 kilograms) and was

so large that it affected safe operation. The forklift operator travelled with the load

elevated about 6 feet (2 metres) off the ground so that it could clear a welding shield set

up near a metal fabricator's workstation.

The forklift approached the workstation where the fabricator was welding with his

back to the forklift. The fabricator was wearing a welding helmet and hearing protection.

He did not hear the forklift operator's attempts to get his attention. Just as the forklift

operator applied the brakes, the fabricator turned toward the forklift with its elevated load.

The metal plates slid off the forklift's load rack, the forklift tipped forward, and the load

rack itself slid off the forks. The fabricator was knocked to the ground and pinned

underneath the load rack with its remaining plates. He suffered fractured and broken

bones.
Safe work practices:
• Consult the forklift manufacturer or a professional engineer before using any
custom-made load-handling attachments, racks, or pallets that may affect the stability
and rated capacity of forklifts.

 Provide specific written safe work procedures for the operation of forklifts.
Train forklift operators in these procedures. The procedures should include—but
are not limited to—the following:

 Determine the load weight, load centre, and combined centre of

gravity.

 Use an effective means of communication to alert workers who are

in the vicinity of operating forklifts.

 Ensure a clear view of the work area before moving loads.

 Ensure that approved custom-made load-handling attachments,

racks, or pallets and loads that could shift are properly secured.

 Do not travel with an elevated load.

• Keep forklift routes clear. If necessary, change workplace layout to keep

forklift traffic away from workstations and pedestrians.

• Do not operate a forklift unless all the safe work requirements listed here
have been met.

Forklift tips over, crushing operator

A forklift operator was loading empty totes onto a trailer at night. The loading dock ramp
was poorly lit, and the forklift did not have rear lights that could give adequate lighting for
travelling in reverse.

The operator was backing the forklift down the ramp. Its right wheels went onto a
ledge on one side of the ramp, and a difference in elevation developed rapidly between the
right and left sides of the forklift. The difference increased as the forklift moved backward.
The forklift tipped over and the operator, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was partially
ejected from the seat. The operator was trapped between the forklift and the ground,
receiving fatal injuries.

Safe work practices:

• Eliminate forklift tipover hazards wherever practicable. Where tipover

hazards cannot be eliminated, implement other methods of ensuring forklifts will
not contact the hazards.
• Install the required general lighting in all work areas.
• Ensure forklifts have the required lights.
• Train operators to follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to prevent
tipovers, and ensure they know how to react in the event of a tipover.
• Ensure seatbelts and other operator-protection devices are used if the forklifts
were manufactured with them.
• Consider retrofitting older forklifts with seatbelts or other operator-protection
devices. These are designed to reduce the risk of the operator's head and torso
being trapped and crushed between the truck and the ground in the event of a
tipover.

Forklift operators — Move cautiously when vision obstructed

 A forklift operator was killed in a tragic accident where poor visibility played a major
part in the incident. The fatal accident involved two forklift operators. One operator had
just dropped off a load of empty pallets with his forklift. He turned his forklift to pick up
another load. He then drove his machine forward through a set of plastic curtains that
separated the warehouse work areas. The raised forks and the plastic curtain restricted his
vision. Meanwhile, another forklift operator was working on the other side of the curtain,
standing on a forklift with his back to the curtain. As the first operator drove his machine
through the curtain, one of the raised forks struck the other operator in the back, fatally
injuring him.

Safe work practices:

• Ensure that workers are adequately directed and instructed in how to perform their
duties safely.
• Travel with forks down when moving without a load.
• Ensure that plastic curtains (or similar barriers) are maintained and kept in good
working order.
• Provide a system of traffic control or other type of warning system when a forklift
operator's vision may be obstructed.

Worker dies, three others injured in boat crash

The operator of a crew boat — along with two other workers — boarded the boat at a
remote camp. They set out to help a worker who had been operating a sidewinder (boom
boat) for 10 hours or more. The sidewinder operator had been instructed to relocate the
vessel, under its own power, from one camp to another, over a distance of more than 30
nautical miles. It was dark and a snowstorm had begun. The crew boat was equipped with
radar, GPS navigation, echo sounder, and two VHF radios. After the crew boat reached the
sidewinder, the sidewinder operator fell into the water. The workers on the crew boat
pulled him into the crew boat and tried to keep him warm. The sidewinder was then
abandoned.
 At some point, a worker who was not the designated operator of the crew boat took
over its controls. While trying to get back to camp, the workers lost their way in the
snowstorm, which severely limited visibility. The crew boat eventually crashed at high
speed into the shore. The worker at the controls died in the impact. Two other workers
sustained serious injuries, while the third suffered less serious injuries.

Safe work
practices:

• Conduct a risk
assessment of the
hazards involved in
relocating vessels
under their own
power. Risk
assessment factors
may include — but
are not limited to —
design, size, and
limitations of the
vessel, weather,
distance and fuel
requirements, communication, training, emergency procedures, and emergency
response capabilities. A risk assessment may suggest barging, towing, or other
alternatives to relocating vessels.
• Even if the operator of a vessel is not required to hold certification under
the Canada Shipping Act, ensure that an operator who transports workers has:

- successfully completed a course on navigation and ship safety acceptable to

WorkSafeBC or
- a combination of training and experience acceptable to WorkSafeBC.

• Ensure that authorized vessel operators are fully trained to use navigation and
communication equipment, including the GPS, radar, and VHF radios.

Worker dies after being struck by reversing dump truck

A new road was being preloaded with sand and gravel. An engineer walked across a dump
truck staging area next to the road while talking on his cellphone. A spotter was using
hand signals to direct a loaded dump truck backwards along the staging area. The truck
driver was maintaining visual contact with the spotter in his side-view mirror. The dump
truck's backup alarm was working normally. Two or three similar backup alarms were also
sounding from other nearby mobile equipment.

The spotter turned away from the dump truck for about 10 seconds to check for
other vehicles. He continued to motion the dump truck to reverse, without maintaining
visual contact with it. During this 10-second interval, the engineer stepped onto the
staging area between the spotter and the reversing dump truck. Still talking on the
cellphone, he stopped directly behind the reversing vehicle with his back to it. The driver
could not see the engineer and continued to reverse as directed by the spotter. The
spotter did not see the engineer.

The engineer was unaware that the dump truck was approaching. One of the dump
truck's rear tires snagged the back of the engineer's leg, pulling him under the truck. He
died from his injuries.

Safe work practices:

• Establish and
enforce safe work
procedures for working
around mobile
equipment, including the
following:

- the use of
cellphones and
other
communication
devices
- wearing high-
visibility apparel
- making eye contact with equipment operators or spotters when entering
mobile equipment work zones

• Remind spotters or signallers to maintain continuous visual contact with mobile

equipment operators.
• If practicable, ensure that mobile equipment backup alarms are audible above
ambient noise levels.
• If practicable, establish designated pedestrian routes through worksites and use
signs to indicate them.

Spotter hit by grapple when working in blind conditions

A grapple yarder operator was removing logs from a hillside. A new worker was the
spotter, directing the placement of the grapple by radio. Two logs were yarded after the
spotter attached a choker cable. The spotter then attempted to remove a log from within a
retention patch of brush and saplings. The operator could not see the log or the spotter.
The spotter had no training or experience working with grapples in blind conditions.

When the spotter asked the operator to swing the grapple, the operator made one
blind throw without confirming the spotter's position. When the spotter asked for the
grapple to be moved a bit more, the operator immediately did so. However, the spotter
was not in the clear. He was hit by the grapple or choker cable and died of his injuries.
Safe work
practices:

• Never move
the grapple in blind
conditions without
confirming that the
spotter is in a safe
position.
• Make sure you are in
the clear before
giving the go-ahead
signal.
• Develop safe work
procedures for
moving the grapple
in blind conditions.
• Train all workers in
the required
communication
procedures.
• Provide new workers
with adequate
instruction on how to
keep themselves in
safe positions when
they are working
around yarding
equipment.
• Demonstrate the
work task or process for new workers so that they are aware of hazards and can
perform the work safely.

Mill worker struck by mobile equipment

At a plywood mill, a loader with a grapple attachment was carrying peeled logs to the vats
for soaking. Unknown to the loader operator, a worker had entered one of the vats and
was standing just inside the entrance as the loader approached. The worker did not
communicate his presence to the loader operator, and the operator's field of vision was
limited by the elevated load of logs and the lack of lighting inside the vat. As the loader
entered the vat, the worker inside was struck by the load of logs. His injuries were fatal.

Safe work practices:

• Provide safe work procedures for all workers who must enter areas where mobile
equipment is working.
 • Provide designated
walkways for
pedestrian traffic
where possible.
• Alternatively,
use traffic control or
other means of
communication with
mobile equipment
operators before
pedestrians enter a
hazardous area.
• Do not permit
workers to take
shortcuts across areas
where mobile
equipment is working.
• When operating mobile
equipment, carry the load
no higher than necessary,
so your vision is limited as
little as possible.

The art demonstrates the position of the worker as he

came out of the vat after being struck by the load of logs.

Garbage truck backs into pole, injuring worker on riding step

A rear-loading garbage truck had to back into a narrow cul-de-sac because there was not
enough room to turn around. While the truck was backing up, the swamper remained on
the riding step, located on the right rear side. The driver was watching the left side of the
truck as he was looking for a loose dog that usually ran up to the truck. The right rear side
of the truck collided with a utility pole, causing severe internal injuries to the swamper on
the riding step.

Safe work practices:

• Do not stand on the rear riding step when mobile equipment is backing up.
• Before backing up the truck, ensure that you can see other workers or that you
know they are away from the truck.
• Check all mirrors for a full view of the roadway and the rear of the truck when
backing up.

Post a sign near the rear riding step reminding swampers not to use the step
while the truck is backing up.

•
Ground worker struck and killed by paving equipment

A cold planer being operated from the right-side operator station was being backed into
position. A ground worker on the right side of the machine was guiding the operator. The
machine's left front track assembly struck and ran over another ground worker who was
working on the left side of the machine and who was not visible to the operator or to the
ground worker on the right side. He died of crushing injuries.

Safe work practices:

• When a mobile equipment operator's view of the work area is obstructed, do not
move the equipment until precautions have been taken to protect the operator and
other workers from injury.
• Install a mirror or mirrors on mobile equipment to provide a view to the rear. If
practicable, install mirrors on equipment with dual operator stations in such a way
that the operator has a view of the left side while using right-side controls, and
vice versa.
• Ensure that effective traffic control is provided and used whenever the
uncontrolled movement of vehicle traffic could be hazardous to workers.
• Provide workers with adequate information, instruction, training, and supervision
necessary to ensure the health and safety of themselves and other workers at the
workplace.
• Ensure that workers are aware of all known or reasonably foreseeable hazards and
that they know what precautions to take to avoid them.
Driver killed while working underneath logging truck

A loaded logging truck was unable to climb a snow-covered and icy hill. The driver called
for help from a loader operator, and they decided to remove some logs to lighten the load.
Because the truck was near a bridge, the logs could be unloaded only from the back, not
the side. The truck driver got out of the cab and went under the vehicle, possibly to adjust
the brakes on the truck drive axles.

As the loader operator was removing a log, the loader bumped the load of logs. The
truck moved, running over the truck driver. The driver later died of his injuries.
Safe work practices:

• Truck drivers must remain in the cab or stay where the loader operator can see
them at all times.
• Loader operators must not unload logs unless they know the truck driver is in a
safe location.
• Inspect the brakes at the start of each shift and at other times as necessary.
Ensure that the air brake slack adjusters are properly set.

Landing worker run over

A landing worker was bucking logs with his back to the loader when the loader
operator backed up. The operator had seen the landing worker in a different location
shortly before reversing, but he was unaware that the landing worker had moved. The
loader ran over the landing worker. He died from crushing injuries.

Safe work practices:

• Check the location of all ground workers in the area before moving mobile
equipment. Be aware that workers wearing hearing protection may not hear the
back-up alarm.
• If working on the ground, keep in view of the loader operator and establish eye
contact if you change position.
• Build landings with enough room for equipment, log decks, and safe work areas for
ground workers.
Diver killed during maintenance work

A commercial diver was drawn into a 30" diameter aerator intake pipe while attempting to
locate the screens for two fire pump intakes.

The pulp mill hired a diving company to inspect and clean two intake screens in their
industrial effluent pond. Both parties thought that the work had been planned and all
hazards identified. The pumps for the two intakes to be worked on had been identified and
locked out. The diver, after entering the water with zero visibility, thought he had located
the fire pump intakes when he was drawn into a nearby aerator intake pipe. The screen for
this intake pipe had broken off and the diver was pulled, head first, 80 feet up the pipe. As
the aerator intake pipe had not been identified on the drawings used, the 35,000 litre per
minute aerator pump had not been locked out. There were no visual markers on the
surface of the pond to identify the aerator or fire pump intakes.

Safe work practices:

Before diving, a detailed risk assessment must be conducted by a qualified person, with
specific knowledge of the worksite, to determine all hazards

• Ensure there are accurate drawings (preferably on a master drawing) indicating all
underwater equipment, piping, intakes, etc. for all underwater work
• Ensure all underlying hazards have visual indicators (flagging or signage) on the
surface
• Ensure risk assessments, safe work procedures, lockout procedures, pre-work
meeting documents, and accurate drawings are available and used by project co-
ordinators and diving contractors working in underwater environments

Establish procedures for working near mobile equipment

A worker was run over and killed on a busy worksite when a dump truck and trailer backed
over him. Several factors contributed to this fatal accident. The truck was backing up
without guidance from a traffic control person. The victim had his vision obstructed by a
hooded rain jacket, and he was talking on a cellular phone. The noise level on the site was
very high at the time of the accident.

Safe work practices:

• Develop safe work procedures based on hazards specific to the worksite, and make
sure they are enforced.
• Ensure that workers receive orientation to the worksite and are trained and
supervised in site-specific safe work procedures.
• Ensure that mobile equipment operators are directed by a worker with an
unobstructed view of the area that the vehicle is backing into.
• Establish procedures for use of cellular phones in high-hazard areas.

Maintain visual contact with the equipment operator

A logger was tragically killed when run over by the rear track of a log loader. The
equipment operator moved the log loader a short distance backward to handle a work
task. Immediately before he started to move the log loader, the operator had spotted the
landing worker in a safe position beside the yarder. For reasons unknown ( there was no
witness) the landing worker suddenly moved behind the loader into a blind spot where he
was killed.
Safe work practices:

• Ensure that workers are adequately directed and instructed in how to perform their
duties safely.
• Maintain eye contact between the equipment operator and the landing worker and
acknowledge each other's presence before equipment is moved.
• Notify the equipment operator before proceeding into a hazardous area around the
equipment. Do not proceed into the hazard area until you have received
permission to do so from the equipment operator.
• Use a horn, a motion alarm,or some other suitable means of signalling before
equipment is moved.

Use chokers instead of grapple — Eliminate blind casting when

operator cannot see the hooktender

A hooktender died from his injuries following an accident involving the practice of
blind casting. The grapple-yarder operator and the hooktender were cleaning up a road
that had been previously logged. The yarder operator could not see the hooktender, as the
yarder was located on a landing 100 metres (330 ft.) above the logged area. The crew was
rigging with a grapple that the hooktender guided into place with his radio. After using a
number of blind casts to retrieve logs the hooktender misjudged one of the casts. As a
result, the grapple struck the hooktender before he could clear the area. He later died from
multiple injuries.
Safe work practices:

• Prohibit blind casting when hooktender is out of the yarding operator's sight.
• Provide written safe work procedures to all workers and review each job safety
breakdown on a regular basis.
• Use chokers to reach wood that is located away from the road line.
• If necessary, walk the machine back into lead for yarding wood or clean-up.

Stay clear of bundle bunk danger area

A bundler was applying bundle wires in the danger area, the unsecured side of a
loaded bundle bunk. He was not visible to the loader operator who assumed that the load
was ready to push and that there was no one in the danger area. As soon as the loader
operator started to push, he realized that the logs were not secured. However the bunks
were now tripped and the logs starting tumbling on the bundler. He became trapped under
the logs and was seriously injured. As the result of his injuries, the bundler died a few
weeks after the accident.

Prevention alert:

• Provide adequate written safe work procedures to all workers.

• Ensure that all supervisors regularly check on workers to ensure that proper safe
work procedures are carried out.
• Do not enter the danger area behind a loaded bundle bunk.
• Ensure that the bundler is in a safe area before the loader operator pushes the
bundle.
Ground crews and equipment operators — Establish eye contact before
moving

A bucker was killed when he was struck and run over by a moving log loader. To assist in
the landing of a log, the loader operator moved his machine ahead approximately 16 ft.
(4.9 m). It is believed that the bucker assumed that work was finished for the day and
moved from a safe position into the path of the moving log loader. The loader operator
had restricted visibility from the operator's position and did not realize that the bucker was
in front of his log loader.

Prevention alert:

• Ensure that workers are in the clear before moving equipment.

• Be cautious when walking around mobile equipment. Never assume that the
equipment will not be moved.
• Establish eye contact between ground crews and equipment operators before
moving from a safe area or before moving equipment.
Do not remove guards

While building a log home, a worker lifted a log with an excavator. While in the air, the log
accidentally swung against the boom cylinders. The worker leaned out the boom side
window, which had been removed for better visibility, to push the log free. He accidentally
leaned against the boom control lever. This triggered the boom so that it dropped down,
crushing the worker in the pinch point between the boom and the cylinders.

Prevention alert:

Never intentionally remove a safeguard — such as the side window — that is designed to
protect you.

Stay clear of yarding cable

A hooktender was struck and killed by the mainline. He accidentally entered the
bight area, which was out of the operator's sight, and was struck by the whipping
mainline.

Prevention alert:

• Ensure adequate direction and instruction of workers in the safe performance of

their duties.
• Remain clear of yarding cable and out of the bight.
Drive according to road conditions

The driver of a pick-up truck collided head on with a logging truck rounding a curve on a
logging road. He was killed in the collision. The pick-up truck driver was on the wrong side
of the road and traveling at excessive speed for the road conditions.

Prevention alert:

• Drive according to the road, grade and visibility conditions.

• Use extreme caution when sharing private roads with approaching vehicles.
Run over by loader

The chaser was standing with his back to the loader when the loader operator backed up.
There was no eye contact or communication between the operator and the chaser. The
chaser was initially struck by the rear wheel of the loader. He died from crush injuries.

Prevention alert:

• Give employees adequate direction and instruction in the safe performance of their
duties.
• Arrange work areas to allow the safe movement of workers, equipment and
materials.
• Keep in eye contact with the operator when working in close proximity to moving
machinery.

CRANE OPERATOR
A worker was working in close proximity to mobile equipment. Although there
were no witnesses, it is believed that the worker was accidentally loaded
into the conveyor and travelled through the steel shredder, where he was
fatally injured.

EMPLOYERS:
Establish up-to-date written safe work procedures. Ensure that workers receive
adequate instructions in performing their duties safely while working in close
proximity to active mobile equipment.

WORKERS:

You must follow safe work procedures at all times. Mobile equipment
operators must be aware of the movement of all workers in their
work area. High visibility vests must be worn when working near
mobile equipment.

FALLER
As the faller attempted to escape from the stump of a tree he had just felled, he was
struck and buried by the rootwad of two trees which uprooted and slid down the steep
sidehill above him. The faller was working on extremely steep terrain and under adverse
weather conditions (foggy with poor visibility). The worker, with no vital signs evident, was
not found for several hours.

Special procedures and precautions must be taken when working on steep terrain,
under difficult falling conditions. When workers are working under conditions
that present a significant hazard, and when the worker might not be able to
secure assistance in the event of an injury, the employer must provide a
means of periodically checking the well-being of the worker.

LUMBER STRAPPER
The lumber strapper was standing on a roadway in the mill talking to a fellow worker.
Meanwhile, the forklift operator had just deposited a load of lumber. He backed up and
turned approximately two machine lengths onto the roadway. The lumber strapper, who
was facing away from the forklift, was struck by the forklift counterweight and run over by
the left rear wheel. He died of his injuries on the way to the hospital.

EMPLOYERS:
Employers must ensure that workers receive adequate direction and instruction on how to safely
perform their duties. Employers must regularly review safe forklift operations with operators
and workers working in the area of forklifts.

WORKERS:

Forklift operators must use the proper mirrors and make visual checks before moving
their machines forward or backward. Forklift operators are constantly working
with restricted vision. All workers working in and around the paths of forklifts
must use extreme caution and wear high-visibility clothing, such as hi-vis
vests.

TRUCK DRIVER
A truck driver was killed when a concrete truck backed over him. The driver was returning
to his truck in a heavily congested work yard. At the moment he passed behind a concrete
truck, the operator of the truck backed up and over the worker who was positioned in a
blind spot behind the truck.

Employers must assure that there are safe traffic flow patterns in truck yards. Also,
assure that there are safe pedestrian travel routes. All trucks must be
equipped with back-up alarms.

LABOURER

The worker was picking up scrap metal on the far side of a scrap pile where he could not
be seen by the crane operator. The crane operator swung the boom with a hanging
magnet across the pile and dropped the magnet on the blind side of the pile. The one-ton
magnet fell on the worker and fatally injured him.

EMPLOYERS:
You must ensure that workers receive adequate direction and instruction in
the safe performance of their duties. Specific safe work procedures must be
provided for and followed by workers.

WORKERS:
You must follow all safe work procedures and not use any other means which
could be hazardous. If you believe that a work process or equipment operation
would create a hazard, you must follow WCB regulations for work restrictions.

WAREHOUSEMAN

This worker placed himself in an unsafe position and was crushed when a trailer backed
up.

EMPLOYERS:
Provide written instructions for workers on the safe loading, unloading, and
moving of trailers.

WORKERS:
The operator of any mobile equipment is directly responsible for the safe
operation of that equipment. Workers must follow the safe work procedures
for their jobs. Work must not be carried out if there is undue risk.
Do Not Service Equipment While In Operation!

A worker was
greasing a crane
underneath the
machinery deck
while the crane was
in operation. The
crane operator was
unaware of the
location of the
worker greasing the
crane. As the crane
swung around, the
worker was caught in
the "bight" and
suffered fatal
injuries. Equipment,
such as cranes, must
not be serviced when the equipment is being operated.