Snowplow Operator Crushed

An equipment operator, a long-time employee of a municipality, was crushed between trucks at the service bay.

It was winter and the trucks had spread sand and salt on roadways. The victim had used a power washer to hose off his truck’s lights and windshield, then hose another operator’s windshield. The second driver noticed a third operator backing through the bay door, yelled at the victim, and grabbed a microphone to warn the third operator but was unable to do so in time. The victim was pinned between his sand spreader and the second truck’s fender. He was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

Your path of travel should always be clear before you back up. This tragedy highlights the need for training in safe backing practices—visually locating workers who are on foot, and honking the vehicle’s horn before backing. Close-proximity warning devices may be needed.