New York Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (NY FACE)
FACE FACTS
Truck Driver Run Over by Trash Compactor in Municipal Landfill (Case Report 02NY007)
On February 20, 2002, a 35 year-old male truck driver died as a result of being run over by a landfill compactor at a municipal landfill. The victim worked for a municipal solid waste (MSW) trucking company and was delivering a load of refuse to the landfill. He exited the cab of his truck at the unloading site and was struck by a compactor that was backing up. The back up alarm on the compactor was working properly and the operator stated that he looked through both the rear and side mirrors before he began backing up but did not see the victim in his path.
How Can This Be Prevented?
- Landfills should set up a traffic control plan to coordinate the movements of all workers at the site, whether they are on foot or operating mobile equipment or delivery trucks.
- Drivers should remain in their vehicles during unloading.
- Additional safety devices should be used on on landfill equipment to warn operators about people or objects in blind spots.
- Landfill employees, drivers, and visitors should wear high visibility safety vests.
- Trucking companies should provide comprehensive employee safety training.
The New York Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (NY FACE) program, in cooperation with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is one of many workplace health and safety programs administered by the New York State Department of Health. Additional information about the NY FACE program can be obtained by mailing to:
New York State Department of HealthBureau of Occupational Health and Injury Prevention
Empire State Plaza-Corning Tower, Room 1336
Albany, New York 12237
