16.07.2009

Man dies unloading platform in Australia

An investigation is underway into the death of a 62-year-old man at Karratha in Western Australia's Pilbara region, who died whilst unloading a boom lift by transferring it from a high bed trailer to a lowloader.

The accident happened at a transport depot yesterday morning when one of the ramps he was using to transfer the 80ft boom lift gaveway. Reports say that he was around a metre from the ground when the boom tipped, throwing him out of the basket. He was taken to Nichol Bay Hospital but died as a result of his injuries.

Local police said: "They were fairly high off the ground and the ramp that was used to drive the platform across failed and caused the elevating work platform. The deceased has fallen out as a result and suffered injuries from the fall."

We understand that the man was not wearing a harness.

WorkSafe inspectors are examining the scene today.

Vertikal Comment

If local reports are accurate, it sounds as though the boomlift, a Genie S80, had been delivered on a typical flatbed truck, with no easy way to unload it. As a result a low loader with ramps was reversed up to the flat bed and the ramps used as a bridge to transfer the lift.

It was while doing this that one of the ramps dropped or slipped off of the flat bed, causing the boom to tip and fall onto its side.

In this instance it is questionable whether a harness would have helped or not, although if the lanyard was short enough he would have stood a far better chance of survival. Instead he was thrown several metres.

What is clear is that unloading or loading aerial lifts from any kind of truck is far more risky than operating it. This is particularly true of a boom lift where a catapult effect can easily occur, throwing the operator from the platform.

And yet a large number, possibly a majority, of people unloading lifts still refuse to wear a harness which would keep them in the basket and save their life or protect them from injury should it happen.