Abstract
On August 18, 2003, a 43-year-old female highway construction worker (the victim) died after the compactor she was operating rolled over the edge of a sloping dirt surface. The victim's job was to help in the construction of a dirt ramp by compacting the ramp surface as dirt was added. The victim was operating the compactor with seat belt fastened. A dump truck used to deliver fill dirt and a dozer used to spread the dirt were also on the ramp. As the dump truck pulled up the slope to empty a load, the victim backed the compactor to the side of the ramp to allow the dump truck driver sufficient room to empty the load. As she was backing the compactor, the right rear wheel went over the edge of the ramp. After rolling 2 ¼ times, the compactor came to rest. The victim was partially thrown from the seat but remained in the seatbelt. Emergency rescue personnel were immediately called and arrived in minutes. The victim was airlifted to the local hospital where she was pronounced dead as a result of multiple injuries. NIOSH investigators concluded that, to help prevent similar occurrences, employers should: 1. thoroughly train compactor operators before they operate machines, including training on the hazards of operating on slopes; and, 2. develop, implement and enforce a written comprehensive safety training program which includes hazard recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions, including hazards associated with operating compactors on slopes Additionally; 1. Employers should replace Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) following an overturn as recommended by the manufacturer; and, 2. A human factors safety review of the protective properties of the current deflection limiting volume (DLV), as defined in SAE J397, should be undertaken by researchers, manufacturers, and consensus standard organizations to evaluate whether current consensus standards provide sufficient protection for belted operators.
