Runaway Dump Truck Kills Spare Driver

Could This Have Been You?

On average, 5,000 to 6,000 workers are killed each year. Learn from the following reports of real workplace fatalities to avoid a similar fate.

The young driver desperately radioed for help on how to stop the runaway dump truck he was in, but it was too late.

The truck hit a bank and rolled over, resulting in the 18-year-old suffering severe head injuries. He died later in hospital.

What happened?

The shop helper and spare driver was operating an articulating dump truck filled with debris when he lost control on a downhill grade.

It was the driver’s first day at this worksite and the extent of his qualifications had not been properly assessed. He had some experience driving articulating dump trucks, but he had little experience driving loaded trucks on steep logging roads. In addition, he did not have an appropriate license for operating an off-road vehicle.

Recommendations

Investigators of this fatality recommended the following safe work practices:
• Provide instruction and training to workers on all equipment they are required to operate.
• Provide written work procedures for emergencies such as a runaway vehicle.
• Ensure there is adequate supervision at the worksite, especially for new workers.
• Conduct safety meetings to discuss hazards on the job.