Introduction
In February 2010, a 68-year-old male construction crew supervisor and heavy equipment operator died of injuries received after being crushed between the track and fender of his bulldozer.
Incident Summary
The operator was using a Caterpillar D4H Series II bulldozer to level fill at a job site. He exited the bulldozer to speak with a truck driver, leaving the bulldozer running without setting the parking brake. When he returned to the bulldozer, his elbow hit the transmission lever, shifting the dozer into reverse, and his left foot became caught between the moving track and the underside of the fender.
Recommendations
To prevent similar occurrences, the investigation team recommends that bulldozer operators and employers follow manufacturer recommended operating procedures, develop and enforce written safety programs, and consider installing interlock safety systems or operator presence sensing systems.
Manual:
Download: Caterpillar D4H Series II Bulldozer Operator Fatality Investigation Report
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