Inspection Detail

Inspection: 101621464 - Nick Martinolich Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Baton Rouge Area Office

Investigation Summary

EMPLOYEE #1 WAS WORKING AS A TIREMAN IN A MAINTENANCE YARD OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY NICK MARTIMOLICH INC., THIBODEAUX, LA. AT ABOUT 2:15 PM ON NOVEMBER 28, 1987. A MACK TRUCK (VEHICLE # RD 68556643) ENTERED THE YARD AND WAS DRIVEN TO A DIESEL FUEL TANK TO BE FUELED UP. THE TRUCK DRIVER FINISHED FUELING THE TRUCK THEN BACKED UP UP ABOUT 25 FEET. AT THAT TIME HE NOTICED THAT EMPLOYEE #1 HAD JUMPED ONTO THE TRUCK'S RUNNING BOARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DRIVER CONVERSED BRIEFLY WITH EMPLOYEE #1, THEN STARTED TO DRIVE THE TRUCK FORWARD TO AN AREA APPROXIMATELY 40 FEET AWAY TO WASH DOWN THE CAB. THE TRUCK WAS PULLING A TRAILER CONTAINING SUGAR CANE FOR TRANSPORT TO A BREAD MILL THE NEXT DAY. AS THE DRIVER DROVE THE TRUCK FORWARD, HE ASSUMED THAT EMPLOYEE #1 HAD JUMPED DOWN FROM THE TRUCK. INSTEAD, HE HAD POSITIONED HIMSELF BEHIND THE CAB OF THE TRUCK, IN THE HYDRAULIC EQUIPMENT HOUSING. EITHER THE MOTION OF THE CAB OR THE SWIRLING MOTION OF THE TRAILER KNOCKED EMPLOYEE #1 FROM HIS POSITION TO THE GROUND. HE WAS THEN STRUCK AND RUN OVER BY THE TRUCK'S REAR TIRES. HE WAS KILLED. THE ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY THE MISJUDGEMENT OF A HAZARDOUS SITUATION BY EMPLOYEE #1.

Keywords: WORK RULES, CRUSHED, TRUCK, FALL, RUN OVER, INATTENTION