05.01.2012

Utility truck overturns in Chicago

A bucket truck being used to remove Christmas decorations in Oak Lawn, Illinois overturned yesterday injuring the city employee who was using it.

The man, said to be in his late 40s, was reported to be in stable condition last night. No one else was involved in the incident.
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The operator came down on softer ground

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The rear stabilisers were down and mats were used

Oak Lawn Police and OSHA investigating the incident.
Vertikal Comment
The truck in this incident reversed onto the grass to get closer to the work, but used mats to protect the ground and spread the load. The rear stabilisers were down and a small mat was used. Unless the stabiliser were supposed to be extended, or there are a set of front outriggers that have not been used, it is difficult to understand how this lift went over.
The rear stabiliser spread certainly looks to be insufficient on their own for a boom of this size.