Safety alert presentation about proper chocking of large vehicles.

1. Proper ChockingProper Chocking
Safety AlertSafety Alert
fromfrom
Wyoming State Mine InspectorsWyoming State Mine Inspectors

2. IncidentIncident
 Two mechanics were working on a fuelTwo mechanics were working on a fuel
trucktruck
 One mechanic was performing routineOne mechanic was performing routine
maintenance on the vehiclemaintenance on the vehicle
 The other mechanic was preparing toThe other mechanic was preparing to
adjusted the brakes on the vehicleadjusted the brakes on the vehicle

3. Fuel truck was similar to truckFuel truck was similar to truck
pictured herepictured here

4. Incident, cont.Incident, cont.
 The first mechanic, preparing to serviceThe first mechanic, preparing to service
the vehicle, drove the vehicle up ontothe vehicle, drove the vehicle up onto
home made ramps to elevate the vehiclehome made ramps to elevate the vehicle
for clearance under the frame of the truck.for clearance under the frame of the truck.
Home made ramps
– 3” tall with 1”
square tubing.

5. Incident, cont.Incident, cont.
 After the vehicle was up on the ramps, the brakes wereAfter the vehicle was up on the ramps, the brakes were
set and the mechanic exited the vehicle to chock intoset and the mechanic exited the vehicle to chock into
place.place.
 The vehicle’s front wheels and the driver’s side dualsThe vehicle’s front wheels and the driver’s side duals
were up on the ramps. The passenger side duals werewere up on the ramps. The passenger side duals were
flat on the shop floor.flat on the shop floor.
 The mechanic could not find the chocks that wereThe mechanic could not find the chocks that were
usually with the vehicle and saw some 4x4 woodenusually with the vehicle and saw some 4x4 wooden
blocks nearby. He intended to find proper chocks whenblocks nearby. He intended to find proper chocks when
he went to gather the tools and parts needed tohe went to gather the tools and parts needed to
complete the job.complete the job.

6. Incident, cont.Incident, cont.
 Because the vehicle needed to be chocked asBecause the vehicle needed to be chocked as
soon as possible, the mechanic grabbed two ofsoon as possible, the mechanic grabbed two of
the blocks and placed the blocks under thethe blocks and placed the blocks under the
inside driver’s duals.inside driver’s duals.
Shop door
4000 Gal. Fuel Tank
Inside duals
Outside duals
4x4 blocks

7. 4x4 blocks and home made ramp4x4 blocks and home made ramp
This picture was taken after the incident.This picture was taken after the incident.

8. Incident, cont.Incident, cont.
 After setting the vehicle in place, theAfter setting the vehicle in place, the
mechanic went to gather the tools andmechanic went to gather the tools and
supplies that he needed for his work.supplies that he needed for his work.
 The mechanic stated later, “my arms wereThe mechanic stated later, “my arms were
full and I couldn’t pick up the chock. Ifull and I couldn’t pick up the chock. I
planned to come back for one, but Iplanned to come back for one, but I
forgot.”forgot.”

9. Incident, cont.Incident, cont.
 While mechanic #1 was servicing the vehicle,While mechanic #1 was servicing the vehicle,
mechanic #2 came to the vehicle and asked if hemechanic #2 came to the vehicle and asked if he
could work on the brakes while the vehicle wascould work on the brakes while the vehicle was
sitting there.sitting there.
 Mechanic #1 gave permission, both mechanicsMechanic #1 gave permission, both mechanics
discussed the job and came up with a plan sodiscussed the job and came up with a plan so
that the job could be done safely. Normally,that the job could be done safely. Normally,
servicing the vehicle and adjusting the brakesservicing the vehicle and adjusting the brakes
are NOT done at the same time. Brakeare NOT done at the same time. Brake
adjustments are normally done with all tires onadjustments are normally done with all tires on
the shop floor.the shop floor.

10. Incident, cont.Incident, cont.
 To adjust the brakes, the park brake hadTo adjust the brakes, the park brake had
to be released. To get the brake toto be released. To get the brake to
release, an air hose was attached to therelease, an air hose was attached to the
vehicle to bring the air pressure up highvehicle to bring the air pressure up high
enough for the brakes to release.enough for the brakes to release.
 Mechanic #2 released the park brakeMechanic #2 released the park brake
when the air pressure built up to operatingwhen the air pressure built up to operating
pressure.pressure.

11. Incident, cont.Incident, cont.
 According to the mechanics, when the brakesAccording to the mechanics, when the brakes
released, the truck moved.released, the truck moved.
 The vehicle rolled back about ½ inch.The vehicle rolled back about ½ inch.
 The mechanics then discussed the movement,The mechanics then discussed the movement,
watched the vehicle for any further movement,watched the vehicle for any further movement,
then decided to move the front block to thethen decided to move the front block to the
passenger side duals.passenger side duals.

12. Passenger side of fuel truckPassenger side of fuel truck
Note – there is no ramp under passenger side sets of duals.

13. Incident, cont.Incident, cont.
 Mechanic #1 grabbed the block that wasMechanic #1 grabbed the block that was
in front of the duals on the driver’s sidein front of the duals on the driver’s side
and walked behind the truck to throw theand walked behind the truck to throw the
block under the passenger side duals.block under the passenger side duals.
 Mechanic #2 followed mechanic #1 behindMechanic #2 followed mechanic #1 behind
the vehicle.the vehicle.

14. Incident, cont.Incident, cont.
 As mechanic #1 was throwing the blockAs mechanic #1 was throwing the block
under the passenger side duals, the truckunder the passenger side duals, the truck
rolled back.rolled back.
 Mechanic #2 was struck by the bumper ofMechanic #2 was struck by the bumper of
the fuel truck.the fuel truck.

15. Incident, cont.Incident, cont.
Mechanic #2 was struck on the left hip by the bumper of the fuel
truck. He was pushed into the shop door, which was in the down
position.
The bottom of the door was in the position shown. The truck then rolled forward
enough that the mechanic was released and the mechanic then fell to the ground.

16.  The victim sustained multipleThe victim sustained multiple
fractures to the pelvis and softfractures to the pelvis and soft
tissue damage.tissue damage.
 The victim was hospitalized forThe victim was hospitalized for
over two weeks and is expectedover two weeks and is expected
to have to have physical therapyto have to have physical therapy
for several months.for several months.

17. #1 Contributing Factor#1 Contributing Factor
 Use of improper chocks and ramps.Use of improper chocks and ramps.
– When ever chocking a vehicle in place,When ever chocking a vehicle in place,
ALWAYS use properly designed andALWAYS use properly designed and
manufactured chocks.manufactured chocks.

18. Have you ever?........Have you ever?........

19. Or used THESE?.......Or used THESE?.......

20. How about at HOME?.....How about at HOME?.....

21. ConclusionConclusion
 More than one factor contributed to thisMore than one factor contributed to this
injury.injury.
 Changing any one factor would have keptChanging any one factor would have kept
this employee from being injured.this employee from being injured.

22. ALWAYSALWAYS
– Evaluate each job to be performed BEFOREEvaluate each job to be performed BEFORE
starting the job.starting the job.
– Use the proper tools for the jobUse the proper tools for the job
– Take your time and make more than one trip ifTake your time and make more than one trip if
you are bringing tools/supplies for the jobyou are bringing tools/supplies for the job
– Stay out of the “line of fire”…. Look at yourStay out of the “line of fire”…. Look at your
path of travel or where you are putting yourpath of travel or where you are putting your
body.body.

23. WR 77.404(c)WR 77.404(c)
 Machinery and equipment; operation andMachinery and equipment; operation and
maintenance:maintenance:
– Repairs or maintenance shall not beRepairs or maintenance shall not be
performed on machinery until power is off andperformed on machinery until power is off and
the machinery is blocked against motion,the machinery is blocked against motion,
except where machinery motion is necessaryexcept where machinery motion is necessary
to make adjustmentsto make adjustments

24. Remember!Remember!
Properly chocking a vehicle can save your life!

25. For more information:For more information:
 Contact the Division of Mine InspectionContact the Division of Mine Inspection
and Safetyand Safety
– PO Box 1094PO Box 1094
Rock Springs, WY 82902Rock Springs, WY 82902
Phone: (307) 362-5222Phone: (307) 362-5222
Fax: (307) 362-5233Fax: (307) 362-5233