Worker Dies After Being Run Over by a Caterpillar

A 46-year-old worker (victim) died of injuries he sustained after being run over by a caterpillar at a construction site. On the day of the incident, workers were preparing the base for new asphalt roadways in a residential housing development. The victim’s job was to work near the caterpillar and advise the operator if the material being added was level or not in preparation for laying the curbing. The operator of the caterpillar was aware that the victim was working behind the caterpillar, but he didn’t realize how close to the caterpillar he was. The operator of the caterpillar had been driving forward when he looked back and noticed that the victim had been run over. Another coworker placed a 911 call and emergency personnel arrived shortly after being called and pronounced the victim dead at the scene. MN FACE investigators concluded that, in order to reduce the likelihood of similar occurrences, the following guidelines should be followed:

• mobile equipment should be equipped with an audible back-up alarm as well as sensing units to detect pedestrian workers in the blind spots of the equipment operator;
• employers should ensure that equipment is always maintained in the proper working condition; and
• employers should design, develop, and implement a comprehensive safety program