Proper ChockingProper ChockingSafety AlertSafety Alert

fromfromWyoming State Mine InspectorsWyoming State Mine Inspectors

IncidentIncident Two mechanics were working on a fuel Two mechanics were working on a fuel

trucktruck

One mechanic was performing routine One mechanic was performing routine maintenance on the vehiclemaintenance on the vehicle

The other mechanic was preparing to The other mechanic was preparing to adjusted the brakes on the vehicleadjusted the brakes on the vehicle

Fuel truck was similar to truck Fuel truck was similar to truck pictured herepictured here

Incident, cont.Incident, cont.

The first mechanic, preparing to service The first mechanic, preparing to service the vehicle, drove the vehicle up onto the vehicle, drove the vehicle up onto home made ramps to elevate the vehicle home made ramps to elevate the vehicle for clearance under the frame of the truck. for clearance under the frame of the truck.

Home made ramps – 3” tall with 1” square tubing.

Incident, cont.Incident, cont.

After the vehicle was up on the ramps, the brakes were After the vehicle was up on the ramps, the brakes were set and the mechanic exited the vehicle to chock into set and the mechanic exited the vehicle to chock into place. place.

The vehicle’s front wheels and the driver’s side duals The vehicle’s front wheels and the driver’s side duals were up on the ramps. The passenger side duals were were up on the ramps. The passenger side duals were flat on the shop floor.flat on the shop floor.

The mechanic could not find the chocks that were The mechanic could not find the chocks that were usually with the vehicle and saw some 4x4 wooden usually with the vehicle and saw some 4x4 wooden blocks nearby. He intended to find proper chocks when blocks nearby. He intended to find proper chocks when he went to gather the tools and parts needed to he went to gather the tools and parts needed to complete the job.complete the job.

Incident, cont.Incident, cont.

Because the vehicle needed to be chocked as Because the vehicle needed to be chocked as soon as possible, the mechanic grabbed two of soon as possible, the mechanic grabbed two of the blocks and placed the blocks under the the blocks and placed the blocks under the inside driver’s duals.inside driver’s duals.

Shop door

4000 Gal. Fuel Tank

Inside dualsOutside duals

4x4 blocks

4x4 blocks and home made ramp4x4 blocks and home made rampThis picture was taken after the incident.This picture was taken after the incident.

Incident, cont.Incident, cont.

After setting the vehicle in place, the After setting the vehicle in place, the mechanic went to gather the tools and mechanic went to gather the tools and supplies that he needed for his work.supplies that he needed for his work.

The mechanic stated later, “my arms were The mechanic stated later, “my arms were full and I couldn’t pick up the chock. I full and I couldn’t pick up the chock. I planned to come back for one, but I planned to come back for one, but I forgot.”forgot.”

Incident, cont.Incident, cont.

While mechanic #1 was servicing the vehicle, While mechanic #1 was servicing the vehicle, mechanic #2 came to the vehicle and asked if he mechanic #2 came to the vehicle and asked if he could work on the brakes while the vehicle was could work on the brakes while the vehicle was sitting there.sitting there.

Mechanic #1 gave permission, both mechanics Mechanic #1 gave permission, both mechanics discussed the job and came up with a plan so discussed the job and came up with a plan so that the job could be done safely. Normally, that the job could be done safely. Normally, servicing the vehicle and adjusting the brakes servicing the vehicle and adjusting the brakes are NOT done at the same time. Brake are NOT done at the same time. Brake adjustments are normally done with all tires on adjustments are normally done with all tires on the shop floor. the shop floor.

Incident, cont.Incident, cont.

To adjust the brakes, the park brake had To adjust the brakes, the park brake had to be released. To get the brake to to be released. To get the brake to release, an air hose was attached to the release, an air hose was attached to the vehicle to bring the air pressure up high vehicle to bring the air pressure up high enough for the brakes to release.enough for the brakes to release.

Mechanic #2 released the park brake Mechanic #2 released the park brake when the air pressure built up to operating when the air pressure built up to operating pressure. pressure.

Incident, cont.Incident, cont.

According to the mechanics, when the brakes According to the mechanics, when the brakes released, the truck moved.released, the truck moved.

The vehicle rolled back about ½ inch. The vehicle rolled back about ½ inch.

The mechanics then discussed the movement, The mechanics then discussed the movement, watched the vehicle for any further movement, watched the vehicle for any further movement, then decided to move the front block to the then decided to move the front block to the passenger side duals.passenger side duals.

Passenger side of fuel truckPassenger side of fuel truck

Note – there is no ramp under passenger side sets of duals.

Incident, cont.Incident, cont.

Mechanic #1 grabbed the block that was Mechanic #1 grabbed the block that was in front of the duals on the driver’s side in front of the duals on the driver’s side and walked behind the truck to throw the and walked behind the truck to throw the block under the passenger side duals.block under the passenger side duals.

Mechanic #2 followed mechanic #1 behind Mechanic #2 followed mechanic #1 behind the vehicle.the vehicle.

Incident, cont.Incident, cont.

As mechanic #1 was throwing the block As mechanic #1 was throwing the block under the passenger side duals, the truck under the passenger side duals, the truck rolled back.rolled back.

Mechanic #2 was struck by the bumper of Mechanic #2 was struck by the bumper of the fuel truck.the fuel truck.

Incident, cont.Incident, cont.

Mechanic #2 was struck on the left hip by the bumper of the fuel truck. He was pushed into the shop door, which was in the down

position.

The bottom of the door was in the position shown. The truck then rolled forward enough that the mechanic was released and the mechanic then fell to the ground.

The victim sustained multiple The victim sustained multiple fractures to the pelvis and soft fractures to the pelvis and soft tissue damage.tissue damage.

The victim was hospitalized for The victim was hospitalized for over two weeks and is expected over two weeks and is expected to have to have physical therapy to have to have physical therapy for several months.for several months.

#1 Contributing Factor#1 Contributing Factor Use of improper chocks and ramps.Use of improper chocks and ramps.

– When ever chocking a vehicle in place, When ever chocking a vehicle in place, ALWAYS use properly designed and ALWAYS use properly designed and manufactured chocks.manufactured chocks.

Have you ever?........Have you ever?........

Or used THESE?.......Or used THESE?.......

How about at HOME?.....How about at HOME?.....

ConclusionConclusion More than one factor contributed to this More than one factor contributed to this

injury. injury.

Changing any one factor would have kept Changing any one factor would have kept this employee from being injured.this employee from being injured.

ALWAYSALWAYS– Evaluate each job to be performed BEFORE Evaluate each job to be performed BEFORE

starting the job.starting the job.– Use the proper tools for the jobUse the proper tools for the job– Take your time and make more than one trip if Take your time and make more than one trip if

you are bringing tools/supplies for the jobyou are bringing tools/supplies for the job– Stay out of the “line of fire”…. Look at your Stay out of the “line of fire”…. Look at your

path of travel or where you are putting your path of travel or where you are putting your body.body.

WR 77.404(c)WR 77.404(c) Machinery and equipment; operation and Machinery and equipment; operation and

maintenance:maintenance:– Repairs or maintenance shall not be Repairs or maintenance shall not be

performed on machinery until power is off and performed on machinery until power is off and the machinery is blocked against motion, the machinery is blocked against motion, except where machinery motion is necessary except where machinery motion is necessary to make adjustmentsto make adjustments

Remember!Remember!

Properly chocking a vehicle can save your life!

For more information:For more information: Contact the Division of Mine Inspection Contact the Division of Mine Inspection

and Safetyand Safety– PO Box 1094PO Box 1094

Rock Springs, WY 82902Rock Springs, WY 82902Phone: (307) 362-5222Phone: (307) 362-5222Fax: (307) 362-5233Fax: (307) 362-5233