Worker crushed during the loading process...

The loading and unloading of heavy equipment in our workplaces is commonplace. Many times it is so commonplace that the safety department is unaware that the procedure is occurring. Here is a recent incident highlighting the hazard of loading/unloading heavy equipment.

A 49-year-old man died at an aluminium foundry. The emergency services intervened at around 1:40 p.m. one day in October 2024. The man was a contractor from outside the foundry company, which specializes in aluminium. He was part of an earthmoving company, which had come to recover an excavator. He died during the loading maneuver.

A dramatic accident during a loading maneuver

According to the first elements of the investigation, a ramp on the platform intended to transport the excavator came loose during the loading maneuver. It hit the 49-year-old man, who died on the spot. A 51-year-old woman, who witnessed the fatal accident, is in a state of shock.

The firefighters, and the national police came to the scene. An investigation is open, to understand how this tragedy could have occurred.

We offer our sincere prayers to the deceased worker’s family, friends, and coworkers. We pray that woman who witnessed the incident will be provided with mental health counseling to deal with the horrific incident she observed.

The news media did not give any preliminary root causes. Regardless, this is an incident we pray the reader takes back to their workplace. There are numerous occasions where heavy equipment (e.g., forklifts, moveable equipment, etc.) is unloaded or loaded at our workplaces. Each and everytime this procedure occurs, the safety department at the workplace should be notified.

At minimum the safety department can inspect the exact location of where the unloading/loading will take place. Is the ground paved or concrete? Is the ground level?