Lockout Tagout – Landscaping Fatality File

Fatal Incident Due to Failure in Lockout/Tagout Procedures in Landscaping

On November 3, 2023, a fatal accident occurred at a landscaping maintenance facility in Toronto, Ontario, resulting in the death of a 29-year-old maintenance technician, Andrew Wilson. Wilson was performing routine maintenance on a large wood chipper when the machine unexpectedly activated, pulling him into the operating blades and causing fatal injuries.

The investigation revealed that the company’s Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures were not properly followed. Wilson had not isolated the machine from its energy source before beginning his work, and the machine’s control panel was not properly tagged to indicate ongoing maintenance. Additionally, the company had not provided adequate LOTO training to its employees, nor were LOTO devices readily available on-site.

In response to this tragedy, the landscaping company has implemented comprehensive LOTO protocols, including mandatory training for all employees on proper procedures, regular audits to ensure compliance, and strict enforcement of LOTO requirements before any maintenance or repair work is conducted on equipment. The company also installed additional safety features on high-risk machinery to prevent accidental activation during maintenance.