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Asphalt plant trainee dies in South Carolina following a 3-foot fall into a drag slat conveyor, June 17, 1991.

NIOSH

Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, FACE 91-19, 1991 Sep; :1-6

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/In-house/full9119.html

00206923

The case of a 24 year old asphalt worker (trainee) who was killed after falling 3 feet into an unguarded drag slat conveyor was investigated. His employer was primarily engaged in highway construction and paving. The employer had a written safety policy, written safety program, and general safety procedures. The victim had worked for the company for 4 days prior to his death. The asphalt facility operator and the trainee were instructed to assist in recalibration of the truck scale by running aggregate through a conveyor. The victim climbed 3 feet onto a support beam for the conveyor frame. The beam was about 3 inches wide by 3 feet long, positioned at a 45 degree angle. The beam was located directly above an unguarded opening for the conveyor. The victim was standing on the support operating a handle connected to a gate in the chute, despite warnings from the coworker to get down. The victim slipped and fell feet first into the drag slat conveyor; he was dragged about 10 feet into the conveyor before it could be shut off. He died of multiple body trauma. It was recommended that all exposed moving machinery parts be guarded; that positive acting stop controls be provided along all conveyor systems; that handle extensions or elevated work platforms be provided at all locations where climbing or standing on equipment is required to gain access; that job safety analyses be conducted for all employees; that employers conduct scheduled and unscheduled safety checks; and that employers review and revise the safety program to include helping workers recognize, understand, and control hazards.

NIOSH-Author; Region-4; FACE-91-19; Accident-analysis; Work-practices; Equipment-design; Construction-materials; Asphalt-industry; Traumatic-injuries

19910930

Field Studies; Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation

1991

PB92-193614

A02

FACE-91-19

DSR

NAICS-23

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

SC; WV