Mechanic run over while working on vehicle

A worker has been run over by the vehicle he was servicing on sloping ground.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland reported that on 9 January 2018, the worker was underneath the vehicle while the driver sat in the cab with the engine running, when the vehicle moved forward unexpectedly and ran him over.

The injured man was transported to Rockhampton Base Hospital for treatment. The vehicle involved has been seized and investigations into this incident are continuing.

A number of Queensland workers have been seriously injured or killed due to a vehicle not being effectively immobilised while work is being done underneath it.

Since 2012, there have been 10 work-related fatalities involving a person being run over by a vehicle or some other type of machinery. In that period, 18 enforcement notices (10 prohibition notices and eight improvement notices) were issued in relation to a person being run over by a vehicle or other type of machinery.

In the same period, a total of 199 claims were accepted for workers injured due to being run over by a vehicle or some other type of machinery. Half of these were of a serious nature, resulting in five or more workdays compensated.

The Workplace Health and Safety Queensland report said the risk of the vehicle moving in an uncontrolled or unexpected manner must be managed by ensuring appropriate controls are put in place. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The hand brake is on.
• Wheels are chocked on both sides of the vehicle using serviceable, purpose-built chocks.
• The keys are removed from the vehicle’s ignition and secured.
• The vehicle is raised on a pillar hoist with all wheels off the ground.
• Work takes place on a flat, even surface that is able to bear the general load of the vehicle and is able to bear the point load of jacks/lifting equipment.
• A lockout system or warning sign is in place to prevent the vehicle from being started, or the vehicle or any part of it being inadvertently moved.
• The driver is fully aware of the mechanic’s presence and requirements.
• A handbrake warning system is installed to alert drivers when the handbrake has not been applied (these can be easily retrofitted).

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/eggeeggjiew