Investigators with NIOSH have determined unsafe work practices contributed to the death of an Indiana firefighter last year who was struck and pinned by a vehicle in a fire station.
Capt. Leonard A. Murray, 53, with the Jackson Township Fire Department in Nashville, Ind., was killed on Nov. 5, 2010.
During their probe, investigators said the captain was in front of the brush truck that was being fixed by a fellow fire department member.
When the mechanic turned the ignition key, the vehicle lurched forward and struck the captain, according to the report.
Murray died at the scene of injuries.
The mechanic told investigators he was not aware the victim and another firefighter were in front of the truck.
After striking the captain, the vehicle rolled backward. “Thinking his left foot would still be on the clutch pedal, he then started to move his right foot from the clutch pedal onto the brake pedal. While doing so, his left foot came off the clutch pedal prior to his right foot depressing the brake pedal. With the clutch engaged, the truck lunged forward again striking the victim again and pinning him against the construction materials…” investigators wrote.
NIOSH officials also said that additional factors for the fatal mishap included the vehicle not blocked from inadvertent movement, the vehicle’s transmission was in gear and the truck was not equipped with a clutch pedal interlock.
To prevent similar incidents across the country, NIOSH investigators recommended that departments should take the following precautions.
• Ensure steps are taken to block vehicles undergoing maintenance against inadvertent movement (e.g., setting the parking brake, wheel chocks, or disconnection of battery)
• Develop, implement, and enforce policies and procedures outlining safe work practices within a vehicle maintenance facility
• Develop, implement, and enforce a comprehensive preventive maintenance program • Ensure that fire department vehicle operators and vehicle maintenance personnel are aware of available manufacturer pre-market and aftermarket installed safety devices on apparatus
