08.10.2008

Tipping loader crane proves fatal

A man using a loader crane to unload steel from another truck was killed in Melbourne yesterday after the crane tipped and crushed him. He had not set the stabilisers.

The man aged 50, was using a truck with loader crane to unload a 3.5 tonne steel bundle from a truck parked alongside. He was using the cranes ground controls when the load caused the crane and truck to tip, crushing the man between the two truck beds.

The accident occurred in McCutcheon Street, Northcote, Melbourne, the two trucks, a smaller one with the crane and an articulated one with the steel, were parked quite close in order that the crane could reach. Due to the proximity, the operator had not extended the cranes outriggers.
Colleagues and the ambulance crew worked on the man for 45 minutes, but he died at the scene.

Worksafe sent an investigator and four inspectors to the site and closed the site and the street.