Abstract: EMPLOYEE #1 HAD COMPLETED A WELD ON A HYDRAULIC LINE ON THE BOOM OF A BARKO 550 HYDRAULIC KNUCKLE BOOM LOADER. THE LOADER WAS EQUIPED WITH A 5 POINT GRAPPLER. THE GRAPPLER WAS OPEN. EMPLOYEE #1 ASKED ANOTHER EMPLOYEE TO WORK THE CONTROLS OF THE LOADER SO THE WELD COULD BE CHECKED FOR LEAKS. EMPLOYEE #2 OPERATED THE CONTROLS, CLOSING THE GRAPPLER. EMPLOYEE #1 WAS SITTING ATOP THE MAST OF A TOWMOTOR, WATCHING TO SEE IF THE WELD LEAKED. THE CRANE BOOM PIVOTED ON THE GRAPPLER, KNOCKING EMPLOYEE #1 BACKWARDS. HIS HEAD WAS CRUSHED BETWEEN THE CRANE BOOM AND THE CANOPY OF THE TOWMOTOR. THE CAUSE OF DEATH WAS A COMMINUTED COMPOUND SKULL FRACTURE WITH TOTAL EVISCERATION OF THE BRAIN.