Inspection Detail

Inspection: 110418738 - Cooper T. Smith Stevedoring

Inspection Information - Office: Baton Rouge Area Office

Investigation Summary

On August 26, 1990, a 19-man stevedoring crew was loading containers onto a ship. As one of the containers was being hoisted from the chassis of a 14-wheel tractor trailer, the clerk noticed that a portion of the container was damaged. He told the driver to remain where he was in case the container was returned to the yard. Employee #1, the general superintendent, and Employee #2, the stevedoring foreman, came out of an office to examine the container. They stood in a 5 foot 9 inch wide safety lane next to the truck's chassis to examine the containers, which were still suspended. After Employees #1 and #2 had decided to load the container an unidentified member of the crew hollered for the truck to pull out. When the truck began to move, Employee #2 felt the rear tires brush his right foot. Employee #1, apparently attempting to take a closer look at the containers, stepped into the path of the truck's wheels. He sustained internal injuries and died.

Keywords: LONGSHORING, WHEEL, TRUCK, STRUCK BY, COMMUNICATION, INATTENTION