Construction Worker Dies After 9-Wheel Pneumatic Roller Rolls Over on Her

A 39-year-old construction worker died of injuries sustained when the 20,000 pound nine-wheel pneumatic roller she was driving rolled over on her. It was not equipped with any type of rollover protective structure. The construction company the victim worked for was contracted to pave and add new shoulders to several miles of a county highway. Prior to the occurrence of the incident, the victim was operating the roller near the top of a one-half mile hill. While compacting the asphalt, the victim may have felt she was driving too fast and attempted to shift into a lower gear. This was not possible while the roller was in motion. The victim attempted to steer the roller as it continued to roll down the hill. The roller travelled approximately four-tenths of a mile down the hill until it entered a ditch. At the time the roller entered the ditch, it was travelling between 40 and 50 miles per hour. The roller then travelled approximately 100 feet through the ditch, prior to striking a rock embankment. The roller travelled across the rock embankment another 41 feet before it rolled upside down. Emergency medical personnel arrived at the incident site shortly after being called, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. MN FACE investigators concluded that to reduce the likelihood of similar occurrences, the following guidelines should be followed:

• pneumatic rollers should be equipped with a rollover protective structure and a seat belt; and
• design, develop, and implement a comprehensive safety program.