2nd local fatality in a week

[Jehinten]

Sheriff's Office conducts Death Investigation at local Job Site

On 12-02-2022, at 10:17 AM, deputies were dispatched to 14300 Bickmeier Rd. in reference to a death investigation. A tree trimming service crew was working at the job site when a 41 year old male operating a skid steer backed into an outrigger. The male was pulling a log as he backed up and was...

vanderburghsheriff.org

Attached is the picture that was shown on the FB post. Hopefully more info will come out, to determine exactly how this happened.

 

[Chris Schultz]

Fuck………..

 

[Tom Dunlap]

So sad to hear

 

[TreeCo]

I can see how that could easily happen. I've got a small Boxer and even though I stand on a very stout 'diving board', I still could be exposed to crushing forces when backing up. Especially objects that would be above my diving/standing board.

So sorry to hear of this accident.

 

[Reach]

I can see how that could easily happen. I've got a small Boxer and even though I stand on a very stout 'diving board', I still could be exposed to crushing forces when backing up. Especially objects that would be above my diving/standing board.

So sorry to hear of this accident.

I have backed myself into things once or twice, but never more than a light touch, and never unexpectedly; it has given me an appreciation of how easy it would be to crush oneself if zipping along backwards without watching where you’re going carefully.

 

[Serf Life]

He must have really smashed something hard to die like that. Outrigger looks about mid-back height, ruptured kidney?? Fuck man that is sad and scary.

 

[dmonn]

Very sad. It can happen so easily, even when you're trying to be careful.

 

[Tuebor]

Maybe suffocated by being compressed?

 

[VenasNursery]

Condolences goes out to family , friends, and anyone involved. So sad

 

[ATH]

He must have really smashed something hard to die like that. Outrigger looks about mid-back height, ruptured kidney?? Fuck man that is sad and scary.

It doesn't take much to break a vertebrae and sever spinal cord either...

 

[Mick Dempsey]

Never thought of this scenario with a mini skid.
Do they go as fast in reverse as in forward?
One of my Articulated loaders went half speed in reverse for safety reasons (EU very safety conscious)

 

[Reach]

Never thought of this scenario with a mini skid.
Do they go as fast in reverse as in forward?
One of my Articulated loaders went half speed in reverse for safety reasons (EU very safety conscious)

Some do, like the Wacker Neuson. The Vermeer go significantly slower in reverse though.

 

[Mick Dempsey]

Some do, like the Wacker Neuson. The Vermeer go significantly slower in reverse though.

Not sure I understand.

 

[Reach]

Not sure I understand.

Sorry, I should have used more words in my comment. The Wacker Neuson mini goes just as fast backwards as it goes forward. The Vermeer is much slower in reverse though, probably for safety reasons.

 

[Serf Life]

Ditch Witch goes same speed, 3.5mph iirc.

 

[TimBr]

Maybe more than most wish to pay for the same capability, but this accident is a good argument for a fully enclosed cage type of setup, I would think. Probably a lot more difficult to get in and out of too, though.

Too bad. Condolences to the friends and family.

 

[Treetopflyer]

Maybe more than most wish to pay for the same capability, but this accident is a good argument for a fully enclosed cage type of setup, I would think. Probably a lot more difficult to get in and out of too, though.

Too bad. Condolences to the friends and family.

Furstly im sorry to read of any tree work accident. On another note since you mention it Tim. I feel some value of safety to the stand on unit in its own regard. Maybe cones and ropes near outriggers On working side or around entire crane could've been helpful. I know I'm bad about going to quick in reverse on mini banged a tree once it hurt... I've always thought about mounting a bubble mirror on somewhere buts it's tree work so I'm sure that's hard pressed to last on a mini. Bottom line is our own safety is our own to own and we are our brothers keepers. Everyone's head ona swivel , STAY IN THE MOMENT.

 

[southsoundtree]

Never thought of this scenario with a mini skid.
Do they go as fast in reverse as in forward?
One of my Articulated loaders went half speed in reverse for safety reasons (EU very safety conscious)

My Boxer seems full speed both ways.

Lots of backwards driving in tree work.

Articulated machines are much faster, so a slower reverse speed would be less impacting than on a mini skid.

 

[Mick Dempsey]

Yes, lot of backwards in tree work, agreed.

In an articulated loader the driver is not at risk of crush injuries through reversing.

 

[Phil]

RIP to the worker. I wonder if the controls were fully functional. Poorly maintained hydraulic levers can stick, especially in colder weather. This can cause "drift" as the machine continues on its path even when the operator releases it. I know there have been many injuries in aerial lifts around power lines as lineman get close to the hardware. They stop but the bucket drifts into the lines. Just thinking out loud. It's like others have said, doesn't take much to crush a spine with a machine and steel.