Earthmoving

Dozer Kills Operator Who Failed to Secure It: OSHA

July 11, 2024

Operator failed to engage a safety lever when exiting the cab.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said a 59-year-old crawler dozer operator was killed when he failed to engage the safety lever when exiting the machine. As the machine started to move, the operator reached back into the cab. The dozer stopped moving forward but began moving in reverse “at a rapid pace,” according to the report.

The operator was knocked onto the track, dragged to the rear, and run over.

The accident occurred on November 6, 2023, in Waynesboro, Virginia, according to a report by WHSV. The report said the dozer ended up crashing into a house.

The OSHA report identified the man as an employee of Branch Civil. It said the operator had exited the dozer to tell a dump truck driver where to place a load of stone.

About the Author

Rod Sutton

Sutton has served as the editorial lead of Construction Equipment magazine and ConstructionEquipment.com since 2001.

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