Equipment Maintenance and Repair

Incident Summary:

At approximately 11:00 a.m. on April 14th, Donald was repairing/replacing the right front cylinder on the front end loader of a tractor.  The loader was equipped with a fork attachment that was used to pick up logs.  He raised the front end loader boom to repair/replace the cylinder, but did not brace or support the boom.  When he removed the hydraulic hose, the boom collapsed, trapping him between the boom and the tractor.  He was crushed and killed.  

Discussion Questions:

1. Could this incident have been prevented?
2. Have you ever taken a short cut to save time?  
3. How long would it have taken Donald to brace the boom before working on the cylinder?  

Take Home Message:

Don’t take short cuts during the maintenance or repair of equipment.  A few minutes can literally save your life.

Check the SW Center website frequently for new factsheets: http://www.swagcenter.org/resourcesforestryfactsheets.asp

For comments or suggestions, contact Amanda Wickman at amanda.wickman@uthct.edu or by phone to
903-877-5998 or Nykole Vance at nykole.vance@uthct.edu or by phone 903-877-7935.

Created by the Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention and Education
11937 US Hwy 271
Tyler, TX 75708
www.swagcenter.org
agcenter@uthct.edu
903.877.5998