Road Construction Laborer Dies After Falling Underneath the Wheel of a Front End Loader

On September 22, 1993 a 39 year-old male road construction laborer was killed after falling beneath the wheel of a moving front end loader. The incident occurred while the victim was riding on the side of the loader as it was moving to a worksite. According to the driver of the loader, the victim moved a control lever which caused the machine to shift into reverse and jarred the victim off the loader and under the front wheel. NJDOH FACE investigators concluded that, in order to prevent similar incidents in the future, these safety guidelines should be followed:
Employers should develop, implement, and enforce a comprehensive safety program with the assistance of a joint labor/management safety committee.
Employers should conduct periodic job safety meetings and refresher training.
In addition, to prevent possible incidents during the operation of heavy equipment;
The manufacturers of construction equipment should consider installing an interlock system that prevents heavy equipment from suddenly reversing direction.