Operating Machinery While Fatigued

Incident Summary:

On May 28th, Leo left his house at 4:00 a.m. to drive to report to work as a log truck driver at a logging site 45 minutes away.  He had worked an average of 13 hours/day Monday‐Friday for the past two weeks.  Seasonal allergies had also left Leo congested and sleep‐deprived.  At 7:32 a.m., police and EMT personnel responded to an accident involving Leo’s truck and an SUV.   According to the police report, Leo fell asleep at the wheel and failed to stop at a traffic light.   His loaded log truck hit an SUV carrying a woman and two children.   The woman and one child died at the scene.  The other child was life‐flighted to Dallas Children’s Hospital.  Leo suffered a concussion, and multiple broken bones in his feet, legs and hips.  

Discussion Questions:

1. What contributed to Leo’s fatigue?
2. What can a worker do to fight fatigue?
3. What are the lifelong consequences of this incident?

Take Home Message:

Driving or operating machinery while fatigued can be deadly, for you and the people around you.   

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