Delivery Driver Crushed by Granite Slab—Kentucky

The following report is the product of our Cooperative State partner and is presented here in its original unedited form from the state. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the individual Cooperative State partner and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

SUMMARY

A 57-year-old delivery driver was killed when he was struck by a slab of granite. At the time of the incident, the driver was assisting the kitchen counter merchant in the off-loading slabs of granite from his flatbed trailer. During the off-loading process an unsecured slab tipped over and struck the delivery driver. It fell onto him and forced him to strike the ground. He received fatal injuries as a result of the incident.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Key contributing factors identified in this investigation include:

• Lack of adequate worker safety practices
• Failure of utilizing adequate safety features while using equipment.
• Lack of a comprehensive worker safety program and training

RECOMMENDATIONS
Kentucky FACE investigators concluded that, to help prevent similar occurrences, employers should:

• Use stone slab storage racks with individual compartments for storage.
• Identify fall shadow zones and restrict employees from placing themselves in the shadow zones.
• Provide written worker safety programs and training for employees.

Delivery Driver Crushed by Granite Slab—Kentucky [PDF – 1,5325 KB]