Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for Colorado: Garbage Collector Dies After Falling from Back of Moving Garbage Truck

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Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for Colorado: Garbage Collector Dies After Falling from Back of Moving Garbage Truck

A 33-year-old male garbage collector died after falling from the back of a moving garbage truck. The victim and the driver of the garbage truck were following a routine garbage collection route. The victim was standing on a smooth steel bar at the back of the vehicle. The driver entered an alley. The victim then signaled the driver to back up. As the driver was backing the truck, he checked the right mirror to determine clearance, and then looked into his left mirror to reestablish visual contact with the victim. The victim was not in sight. At that time he felt a slight bump. He stopped the truck, pulled forward, and then got out to investigate. The victim was lying face down behind the truck. The Colorado Department of Health (CDH) investigator concluded that, in order to prevent future similar occurrences, employers should: (1) Provide a non-slip platform on which the employee could stand. (2) Require that steel-toed safety shoes with non-skid soles and protective head gear equipped with a chin strap be worn by employees at all times. (3) Provide training and implement comprehensive safe work procedures that specifically address job site hazards.