Indoor amusement manager killed when struck by a moving roller coaster.
Source
NIOSH 2003 Sep; :1-8
Abstract
On March 1, 2003, a 43-year old male amusement manager of an indoor restaurant and game room facility was killed when he was struck from behind by a moving 5-car roller coaster. The victim entered the fenced roller coaster area near the end of the ride circuit. The ride operator had completely loaded the cars and the ride was approximately half way through one track circuit. It is thought that he was looking at a structural area previously identified by a building inspector as needing a support plate on the floor. The roller coaster operator did not see the victim enter the area or see the coaster strike the victim. When the roller coaster came around the track curve, it either struck him or a piece of the front roller coaster car caught on a piece of his clothing and dragged him on the track. The coaster ran over the back of the victim's neck and derailed. 911 was called and emergency response arrived. The victim was declared dead at the scene. Recommendations: 1. Ensure that lockout/tagout procedures are followed when servicing machines and equipment. 2. Provide lockout/tagout training to employees to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program is understood. 3. Prohibit employee entry into a ride operation area while the ride is in motion. 4. Place warning signs at the back entrance of the ride area prohibiting entry via this entrance unless the ride is locked/tagged out. 5. Position mirrors within a ride area to eliminate "blind spots" for the ride operator.
Keywords
Accident-analysis; Accident-potential; Accident-prevention; Accidents; Injuries; Injury-prevention; Safety-education; Safety-equipment; Safety-practices; Safety-measures; Traumatic-injuries; Region-5; Work-practices; Work-analysis; Work-performance; Training; Warning-signs; Food-services; Entertainment-industry
Document Type
Field Studies; Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation
Funding Type
Cooperative Agreement
NTIS Accession No.
PB2008-101569
Identifying No.
FACE-03MI022; Cooperative-Agreement-Number-U60-CCU-521205
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Performing Organization
Michigan State University
