what not do with a backhoe

Whiskey · Dec 17, 2003

herd on the radio today, in a story they have every morning about the "stupid news"

A 39 year old const. worker in NY. got burried up to his neck on a const. site well, it seems that his buddies thought they would dig him up with the backhoe......end result.......one headless const. worker......just freaking sad....and very stupid

Whiskey

Mark_in_NH · Dec 17, 2003

Ouch !!!! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Junkman · Dec 17, 2003

Here is a site that gives accident reports for the State of Kentucky along with the investigation results. More to read than you would want, but there is a lot of good information to be learned by others mistakes. Some of us are destined to make our own mistakes for learning purposes, however some mistakes you only make once, because after that you are dead. Read about the farmer that died as a result of a roll over with a ROPS fitted tractor.... will make you think twice about not using the seat belt. It certainly changed my thoughts.... web page
For other states, Click here.......

JDgreen227 · Dec 17, 2003

I have to feel really sad for any family he left behind. stupid does not even begin to describe the incident. If those were his buddies that tried to dig him out...I would question what kind of buddies they were.

ducati996 · Dec 17, 2003

Most of us from NY are not that stupid..dont know where these dopes came from....

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

adegiulio · Dec 18, 2003

I don't think this post belongs in the "Safety" forum. It belongs in the "Stupidity" forum...

JDgreen227 · Dec 18, 2003

Junkman.

Thank you for the information you posted about finding accident reports for various states. As you said it is not pleasant reading BUT it gave me a heads up that I should begin correcting a bad habit of mine. My Deere has the factory folding ROPS that I need to fold to park it indoors and although I always wear a seatbelt I rarely put the ROPS up as my property is flat. After reading a few of the reports I was thinking "dumb me". THANKS.

I hope other TBN members will read your post and correct any careless habits they might have. I should know better than to fail to put my ROPS up, prior to retirement my father was chief safety inspector for occupational safety for the state of Michigan. If he were still around I know he would have give me h--- if he saw me driving around with it folded.

MikePA · Dec 18, 2003

although I always wear a seatbelt I rarely put the ROPS up 
The rule of thumb is...

ROPS up, then seatbelt on.
ROPS down, then seatbelt off.

The purpose of the seatbelt is to keep us 'attached' to the tractor so if the tractor rolls, we'll be sitting safely, albeit upside down, in the seat and protected by the ROPS.

With the ROPS down and the seatbelt on, odds are you'll be crushed by the tractor. With the seatbelt off, the thinking goes, you might be able to jump clear.

Junkman · Dec 18, 2003

I came to the same conclusion after reading a few. I don't wear the seat belt when mowing grass, because it is flat land, but I will now be wearing the seat belt when using the loader. It is interesting to read the accident reports from MA.... totally different since it isn't a farming state. Many people falling off of roofs..... Sent that one to Santa so he will be careful this season...

Wal · Dec 18, 2003

Man Decapitated In Rescue Attempt
- Newsday

A construction worker was decapitated when co-workers tried to dig him out of a collapsed ditch with an excavating machine, officials said.

The 39-year-old man, whose name was not released, became trapped in the ditch Monday afternoon at the intersection of Taylor Street and DeGroot Place on Staten Island. Colleagues tried to free him and another trapped worker with a backhoe, accidentally severing the first man's head.

Workers had dug the 16-foot trench as a part of project to connect houses on Staten Island to a sewer line. Its walls collapsed after the two men went inside.

It had not yet been determined whether the man died because of the decapitation or when the trench's walls collapsed, said Paul Iannizzotto, a fire department spokesman.

The other worker, a 66-year-old man whose name was not released, was rescued after firefighters arrived at the scene and was taken to St. Vincent's Hospital with minor injuries, police said.

The Formica Construction Co. of Staten Island had been given a permit to dig the trench, according to Ilyse Fink, a spokeswoman for the city's building department. She said the company would be issued at least one violation, for failing to properly reinforce the trench's walls.
Copyright 2003 Newsday

Junkman · Dec 18, 2003

It is hard to believe that a worker would even get into a trench without having the steel guards installed into the trench beforehand. In this case, I am not certain who used the least amount of common sense... the excavator operator that decapitated the man, or the laborer that went into the trench without the proper reinforcement safety precautions. OSHA is going to have a field day with this one!!!!!!

keeney · Dec 19, 2003

Maybe the backhoe was the only chance of getting them out quick enough to save them? Its not clear how deeply they were buried. Maybe the accident viticms were buried so deep as to not be visible?

- Rick

Junkman · Dec 19, 2003

( Maybe the backhoe was the only chance of getting them out quick enough to save them? Its not clear how deeply they were buried. Maybe the accident viticms were buried so deep as to not be visible?

- Rick
)

The original post said that he was buried up to his neck and it was a backhoe, however, the Newsday article said it was an excavator, not a backhoe that took his head off... Makes me wonder what the operator was thinking of when he tried to dig them out.... I don't understand why he would dig so close to the man that was buried up to his head. I have a feeling that when all this is played out, the machine operator will be charged with involuntary manslaughter .. The only thing that might save him is if the coroner determines that he was already dead before being decapitated..... The construction company is grossly negligent for not providing the proper equipment to do the job safely in the first place. These type of trench collapses are very common and that is why they require a "trenching box"... If you would like to learn more about these type of accidents and how to prevent them, read this web page. Any trench deeper than 5' must have protection for the workers safety and the specifics are spelled out clearly for all contractors. It is cost savings that cause these type of tragidies.....

Taylortractornut · Dec 19, 2003

ive had to dig a collpse in a trench but i had sence enough to dig infront of the worker. The site had som real loose ground and it flowed into the trench box. I dont thing he was buried to the neck up if he had been it would have been hard to have hit him. on the other hand if he was covered up he could have been a pure accident. Alot of workers arent trained in what to do in a cave in. The first thing to do is to locate the worker with hand tools. Still dangerous but alleast you can find where they start at. alot of companies think 6 thousand is to much to pay for a trench box but they usually dont have that after OSHA gets done. I have a set that the city used to use that has rams that extends 2 aluminum paddles out with shoring between them to act like a mobile mini trench box and it gets used alot.

frank_f15 · Dec 19, 2003

i live in n.y and that article was in our local paper, and i wonder how could that happen? i mean if u are that close, don't u think you would switch to shovles? damm some people are dumb. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Junkman · Dec 19, 2003

"there is no accounting for other peoples stupidity!!" Quote PMS

Renze · Dec 21, 2003

Hmm... I think the backhoe operator paniced... how else could this happen ??

By the way, i have worked with an excavator operator, with his experience i would just feel safe if he was going to comb my hair with his 17 ton wheeled Liebherr !!

frank_f15 · Dec 21, 2003

i just wonder what the guys helping and guiding the operator were doing.either way , a shame. feel sorry for the deceased and his family, but also have feelings for the men/ women trying to help. tough thing to live with.