City Employee Injured After Fall

Here is a headline no one wants to read....“A City of Watertown, SD, employee is in intensive care after falling off a piece of city equipment last week. The employee fell off a street sweeper on April 2, 2013 and fractured his skull. Initially, he was conscious and responsive, but due to the severe trauma, he was air-lifted to Avera Mckennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.”     (The Public Opinion .Com, Watertown, South Dakota)

No matter what type of equipment employees are operating, safety precautions need to be taken when it comes to climbing in and out of the equipment, or performing maintenance activities on the equipment.

Three-Point Contact Every Time

 

DO Keeps steps and standing surfaces free of snow, mud and debris. Wear shoes with good support and tread. Exit and enter facing the cab. Slow down and use extra caution in bad weather. Get a firm grip on rails or handles with your hands. Look for obstacles on the ground below before exiting.

DON’T Don't climb down with something in your free hand. Put it on the vehicle floor and reach up for it when you get down on the ground. Don't rush to climb out after a long run. Descend slowly, to avoid straining a muscle. Never jump!  You may land off balance, on an uneven surface and fall. Don't use tires or wheel hubs as a step surface. Don't use the doorframe or door edge as a handhold. Don't get complacent and become an injury statistic!

by Joe Ingebrand