PSG Presentation Excavator window incident

2 EVENT  July 15 th, 2011  The excavator operator was sloping an excavation on surface.  The front window of the excavator was up and locked in place.  The window suddenly fell off the track striking the operator on the head.

3 NOTES  Pre-op performed on piece of equipment prior to start up. Verifying the tracks, pins and wheels was not part of the pre-op check list.  The window rest above the operator’s head and weighs approximately 50 lbs.  Worker was wearing a hard hat at the time of the incident.  Worker had his head forward and was looking at the bucket.

4 2 of 3 bolts came loose and fell off of roller bracket. When excavator was cleaning rock the window bumped off the tracks. Side View

5 Window in the open position. Bracket with 2 of 3 missing bolts from operator view Operator View

6 Position bracket should have been in Position of bracket with 2 of 3 missing bolts from operator view

7 Window was properly latched and the auto lock was engaged. The design of the pin will allow the pin to pop out of latch if the front roller bracket comes off the track.

8 Window in the down position

9 Injury  Co-workers noticed unit had stopped, they held the window up and assisted the operator out of the cab.  The operator complained of dizziness.  FA was administered and ambulance were contacted.  Worker was transported to Sudbury Regional Hospital by air ambulance for further assessment.  Worker suffered a concussion and returned on modified work the next day.

10 Follow up  Unit was inspected by company and CAT service reps.  2 screws were missing on the lower right hand bracket of the excavator window. Screws were found on the floor of the excavator.  The roller and the pins came out of the track.  The excavator in question had the window replaced in June  Other similar equipment on the property were inspected.  All equipment need to be checked thoroughly to ensure all bolts, pins and rollers are in good condition, tight and riding in the track properly.

11  A similar incident occurred at another operation with a skid steer unit which had similar roller and track device for the window.  In this case the track was worn and the roller slipped out of the track.  Worker suffered a neck injury resulting in a LT.  Inspect all similar type of equipment. Similar incident