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Coal Truck Driver Dies In Rollover After Tire On Trailer Fails, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Motor Vehicle

In the fall of 2006, a twenty-three year old male tractor-trailer driver who was hauling coal, died when a rear outer tire on the trailer failed. After the tire failed, the trailer slipped off the right side of the road, overturned, and went over an embankment. The trailer remained attached to the tractor as both went over the embankment, flipping the entire unit upside down. A witness called emergency medical services who arrived and called the county coroner. The coroner arrived and declared the driver dead at the scene. It was determined by Kentucky State Police that the driver was …

Semi-Truck Driver Dies After Striking A Bridge Abutment, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Motor Vehicle

At approximately 11:45 PM on a spring night in 2008, a semi-tractor driver accompanied by a driver trainee began his route from a warehouse loading dock in Kentucky. The driver departed with a single axle day cab pulling a 28’ refrigerated trailer loaded with detergent, refrigerated and frozen foods.

An hour later, the semi driver was driving in the right hand northbound lane on a four-lane interstate when he came upon a crash scene. A southbound mini-van had been struck by another vehicle, crossed the median, and had come to rest across the right hand northbound lane. To avoid striking …

Roofing Foreman Dies From Telescopic Boom Lift Fall, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Falls

On a winter day in 2008, a male roofer/ foreman died after falling from a telescopic boom lift. He and four other roofing crew members were installing a new roof at a residence undergoing restoration. They had arrived at the job site at approximately 7:45 AM.

At approximately 8:00 AM, the foreman and two roofers were installing flashing on the roof of an alcove on the south side of the house while two other roofers were in a pickup truck putting on coveralls. The crew on the roof needed red rosin underlayment (paper) which was in the pickup truck. Using …

A 53-Year-Old Male Iron Foreman Dies After Fall From Steel Decking, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Falls

During the fall of 2007, a 53-year-old male iron foreman died when he fell approximately 18 feet from roofing being installed on a retail building under new construction. Two work crews were installing metal decking for a roof by laying corrugated metal sheets to the joists of a retail building being constructed. All workers wore personal fall arrest systems complete with lanyards on the roof; none of the workers were tied off to the building. The foreman had accessed the work site via a 32-foot extension ladder to check on the progress of the work. After speaking to the first …

Truck Drivers In Fatal Crashes After Substance Use, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Motor Vehicle

To prevent truck crashes due to substance use:

• Employers should implement and enforce a policy that prohibits commercial drivers who are ill or taking over-the-counter medications with potential side effects for impaired driving from operating a commercial vehicle.
• Employers should implement and enforce a “reasonable suspicion” drug testing policy if a driver is suspected to be under the influence of drugs.
• Companies should conduct comprehensive new-hire prescreening and after-hire random drug testing for substance abuse.
• A nationwide data- base containing a record of all commercial driver positive drug tests in the last two years should be developed.

Semi-Tractor Trailer Driver Hauling Chicken Dies After Striking A Rock Wall, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Motor Vehicle

On a sunny fall day in 2007, a 50-year old semi truck driver hauling processed frozen chicken in a refrigerated trailer, died when his semi crashed into a rock wall. The driver was north bound on an interstate highway when witnesses saw the semi in the left lane contact the concrete median barrier then veer over to the right across one traffic lane and the shoulder, then strike a rock wall. The impact caused the cab to overturn onto the driver’s door while the refrigerated trailer remained standing upright. An exhaust pipe located on the back of the cab was …

Semi Owner-Operator Dies In Rollover After Speeding Through A Curve, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Motor Vehicle

On a Fall day in 2005 at 3:00 PM, a 46 year-old male semi-tractor trailer owner-operator was hauling logs when he rounded a curve, drove off the right side of a two lane state highway, struck a tree and rolled over. Emergency medical services were called to the scene. When they arrived, they found the driver without vital signs and contacted the local coroner. Kentucky State Police arrived and called Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement to the scene. The driver had not been wearing his seatbelt. Toxicology detected methamphetamine and doxylamine in his system at the time of the crash.

To prevent …

Male Semi-Truck Driver Killed In Rollover Crash On County Road, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Motor Vehicle

Early in the morning during the winter of 2005, a 31-year-old male semi-truck driver died when the semi-tractor trailer he was driving left the roadway and rolled over into a ditch. He had just picked up a load of raw lumber from a lumber yard and pulled out of the gate onto a county road and driven about a mile when the incident occurred. His destination was a lumber mill approximately 150 miles away. He was driving on a straight stretch of the road when the right tires left the pavement and dropped onto the sloped grassy area next to …

Coal Truck Driver Fatally Injured In Collision With Another Coal Tractor-Trailer, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Motor Vehicle

During the winter of 2008, a 39 –year-old tractor-trailer driver died after striking the right rear of a coal tractor-trailer with his vehicle, then veering into an embankment, rolling over and catching fire. The driver of a coal tractor-trailer (Truck 1) and the decedent driver of a second coal tractor-trailer (Truck 2) had descended a hill in the lane next to one another on a four-lane undivided highway. Truck 1 stopped at a traffic light at an intersection at the bottom of a hill while Truck 2 approached the intersection from behind in the left lane. The light turned green …

Hispanic Carpenter Dies After Falling From Homemade Platform, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Falls

In the Spring of 2007, a 32-year-old Hispanic male carpenter (decedent) died when he fell from a homemade platform (extended approximately seven feet in the air) after it detached from a telehandler (forklift). The decedent and two other carpenters were framing a new construction, single-family residence located on a hillside which was rough and steep. The three carpenters were framing the wall at the rear corner of the house which was high because of the sloping terrain. To reach the area, the crew decided to use a homemade platform as a makeshift scaffold. A fourth worker operated a rough-terrain forklift …

Dump Truck Driver Dies After Being Entangled In Power-Take-Off Drive Shaft, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Motor Vehicle

During the fall of 2006, a 25-year-old male company dump truck driver (decedent) died when he became entangled in the drive shaft of the power-take-off pump (PTO) underneath a dump truck. He and four other dump truck drivers were waiting to have their trucks filled with asphalt when one of the other drivers (Driver 1) began having difficulty with the bed of his truck raising and lowering properly. Another driver (Driver 2) attempted to assist Driver 1 with the problem, but was unsuccessful. Driver 1 decided to inform the plant manager (Owner 1) of the situation and request assistance from …

Emergency Roadside Technician Dies When Struck By A Single-Unit Truck On An Interstate Shoulder, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Motor Vehicle

In the winter of 2005 a 52-year-old male emergency roadside technician (ERT), (providing traffic control support for police), died when he fell approximately 75 – 80 feet from a bridge after being struck by a single-unit truck. A policeman had responded to a call from a semi-truck driver on the interstate who had blown a tire while driving on an interstate. After the tire blew, the driver immediately pulled the semi onto the right shoulder and called police for assistance. This section of the shoulder was on a bridge on the blind side of a hill, and was too narrow …

Workers Struck By Trains While Driving, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Motor Vehicle

To prevent injuries while driving vehicles across railroad tracks:

• A hazard assessment should be performed before crossing railroad tracks.
• Safety belts should be used while driving.
• Commercial vehicles should not be stopped on railroad tracks.
• Braking mechanism checks should be performed before commercial vehicles enter roadways.
• Cell phones should not be utilized while driving.
• Employers should provide employees training on railway traffic safety.

Differential Neuromuscular Training Effects On Acl Injury Risk Factors In"High-Risk" Versus "Low-Risk" Athletes, Gregory D. Myer, Kevin R. Ford, Jensen L. Brent, Timothy E. Hewett

Kinesiology and Health Promotion Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Neuromuscular training may reduce risk factors that contribute to ACL injury incidence in female athletes. Multi-component, ACL injury prevention training programs can be time and labor intensive, which may ultimately limit training program utilization or compliance. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of neuromuscular training on those classified as "high-risk" compared to those classified as "low-risk." The hypothesis was that high-risk athletes would decrease knee abduction moments while low-risk and control athletes would not show measurable changes.

METHODS: Eighteen high school female athletes participated in neuromuscular training 3x/week over a 7-week period. Knee kinematics and …

Long Haul Trucker Dies After Striking An Embankment At The End Of An Interstate Highway Off-Ramp, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Motor Vehicle

In the fall of year 2005, at 12:40 AM, a 47-year-old male semi-truck driver began his delivery route hauling a refrigerated trailer loaded with 23,000 pounds of produce. His first delivery was approximately 265 miles away. After two hours and twenty minutes, he exited the interstate 23 miles from the start of his route. At the end of the exit ramp he attempted to turn right onto a 4-lane highway. He missed the turn and drove straight across the highway through a guardrail; the truck became airborne, and crashed into an embankment exploding into flames. An unidentified motorist driving behind …

Fatal Aerial Lift Injuries, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Motor Vehicle

To prevent injuries while working in aerial lifts:

• A “pre-job safety plan” should be developed for each job site and reviewed prior to each day on the job site.
• Mechanical checks should be performed on all equipment at each job site prior to each use.
• There should be communication between the worker in the elevated lift and ground control crew.
• Ensure that appropriate fall protection equipment is available and correctly used when working from elevations.
• Employees should work within job qualifications and job limits.

Victims Struck Out By Logging, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Tractors/Logging

To prevent injuries while felling trees:

• Loggers should attend the Kentucky Master Logger program for training and education regarding Occupational Safety and Health Administration logging standards and safety procedures.
• A “pre-job safety plan” should be developed for each job site and the plan should be reviewed prior to each day on the site.
• Proper notching and directional felling techniques should be utilized when felling trees.
• Develop a felling plan for each tree prior to felling that includes escape route, dead or hanging branches, vines, and nearby trees.

Amputation Injuries Due To Forklifts, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Other

To prevent injuries from forklifts while working:

• Before you operate a forklift, make sure that you are trained and certified.
• Remember if you are on a sit-down type forklift, and it starts to over-turn, lean in the opposite direction, stay with the forklift; don’t jump.
• When operating a forklift on site, slow the truck and sound the horn at cross aisles, exits, and other employee traverse points.
• Before dismounting, set the parking brake, lower the forks or lifting carriage, and neutralize controls.

Workers Killed In Falls From Ladders, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Falls

To prevent falls from ladders while working:

• Make sure that an extension or straight ladder are erected according to the “4 to 1” rule of thumb.
• Safe work practices should be established by the employer for ascending and descending extension or straight ladders with materials and/ or equipment.
• All non-self-supporting ladders should be secured at the top and stabilized at the bottom.
• While working from ladders, workers should wear appropriate footwear.

Passenger Dies When Semi-Truck Trailer Hits Cow In Roadway, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Motor Vehicle

On November 8, 2005, a 26-year-old male laborer who was a passenger in a semi-truck died when the driver swerved to avoid hitting a cow that was standing in the parkway lane. The two employees had been traveling westbound for approximately one hour when the driver noticed a cow in his lane. He swerved to avoid hitting the cow but hit it anyway. The tractor and two trailers jack-knifed, traveled through the median with the cab and trailers flipped onto their right sides, slid across the eastbound lanes, then the cab slammed through the guardrail. The cab came to rest …

Worker Crushed To Death By Falling Steel Coil, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Other

On April 13, 2005, a 40-year-old male laborer was moving a 5-feet by 9-inch coil of slitted steel, weighing 6600 pounds, when it fell on him. The laborer was in the process of wrapping a chain through the middle of the coil and through a homemade device on the forks of a forklift when the coil tipped over. As the laborer tried to move away from the falling coil, it landed on his left side, breaking his left leg and causing internal injuries. Other workers in the area did not see, but heard the commotion of the falling coil. The …

Working Drivers Killed In Motor Vehicle Collisions Were Not Wearing Safety Belts, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Motor Vehicle

To prevent motor vehicle injuries while working:

• Employers should implement a comprehensive employee driver safety training program.
• Employees should wear seat belts at all times.
• Employees should be aware of distractions and pay attention at all times.

Dump Truck Driver Dies After Unintentional Release Of Asphalt, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Motor Vehicle

On June 6, 2005 a 55-year-old male dump truck driver (Driver 1) died when he was buried waist deep in 400-degree Fahrenheit asphalt. Driver 1 stopped along the highway to help another dump truck driver (Driver 2), (both were independent truck drivers), who had experienced brake problems. As the two men were examining the pneumatic brake system at the rear of the disabled dump truck, the tailgate opened unexpectedly, spilling hot asphalt onto the decedent who was under the rear of the truck.

To prevent similar incidents, the following recommendations have been made:

Recommendation No. 1: Tailgate chains should always …

Dump Truck Driver Crushed Between Trackhoe And Dump Truck, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Motor Vehicle

On November 11, 2004, a 33-year-old male dump truck driver died when he was crushed between the driver’s side of the dump truck and the swinging counter-weight of an excavator (trackhoe). His dump truck became stuck in mud after the trackhoe loaded dirt into it so he walked to the on-site office and informed the owner. The owner located a bulldozer on site and drove it to the dump truck while the driver retrieved a chain from his personal pickup truck. The owner raised the blade so the driver could attach the chain to it. Raising the blade of the …

Cleaner Falls 35 Feet To His Death Through Temporary Roof Opening, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Falls

On February 23, 2004, a 50-year-old male cleaner died when he fell approximately 35 feet through a temporary roof opening and was impaled on a piece of equipment on the factory floor. He had been cleaning an exhaust fan on a factory roof with a pressure washer. He and two coworkers had removed the fan from its casing creating a temporary roof opening and set the fan beside the roof opening for cleaning. Facing the fan with his back to the opening, the cleaner apparently stepped backwards and fell through the opening. He fell onto a 1200-ton die-casting machine on …

Horse Farm Owner Dies When Pinned Under Golf Cart, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Other

On January 31, 2004, a 45-year old female horse farm owner (decedent) died when she was pinned under a golf cart. The woman had driven a gas-powered golf cart from her house on the farm to the horse barn to muck stalls and put horses in the barn. After driving the golf cart into the barn, the farm owner placed two square bales of hay on the golf cart; one on the back and one on the passenger side of the front seat. Leaving the ignition key of the golf cart in the “on” position, she left the golf cart …

Traffic Technician Dies From Fall While Changing Traffic Signal Bulb, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Motor Vehicle

On Monday, March 31, 2003, a 39-year-old male (decedent) highway traffic technician, working alone, received fatal head injuries after falling out of the bucket of an aerial boom truck. Injuries sustained in the fall resulted in his death four days later. He was changing a burned-out green traffic bulb in a traffic signal suspended over 2 lanes of traffic. As he worked from the aerial lift suspended over traffic to change the burned out bulb, a cargo truck drove underneath the bucket, striking it, and causing the decedent to fall to the asphalt below. As the worker fell approximately 10 …

Landscaping Laborer Dies When Struck By Bouncing Log, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Tractors/Logging

On March 5, 2004, a 57-year-old male laborer died when a 19 inch wide x 31 inch long log rolled down a mountain hitting him in his head and chest. The laborer had been employed for three days by a landscaping company contracted to clear the tree canopy over a gas line right-of-way. At approximately 2:20 pm, the company owner and five laborers were felling trees and bucking downed trees with chain saws and pole saws to remove the trees and limbs hanging over and growing in the gas line right-of-way. Two of the laborers were working topside at the …

Equine Farm Manager Dies From Accidental Overdose Of Xylazine, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Other

On October 6, 2003, a 49-year-old male equine farm manager accidentally died after injecting himself with an unknown quantity of Sedazine (xylazine), a sedative commonly used to sedate horses. After visiting a barn’s storage area at approximately 8:45 am, the farm manager went to his house located on the farm and apparently tried to ease his pain by injecting himself with xylazine. At approximately 9:45 am, a female co-worker saw the farm manager’s dog running unrestrained outside and went to the farm manager’s house to return the dog. Upon entering the house, she found the farm manager lying face down …

Kentucky Residential Roofing Falls, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Kentucky Haz Alerts--Falls

To prevent falls while working on roofs:

• Always use appropriate guardrail, scaffold, or fall protection systems.
• Both employers and subcontractors should provide comprehensive site-specific fall protection training for their employees.
• Conduct a thorough assessment in and around the work area to identify existing and potential fall hazards prior to the start of work.