Fatality #3 - February 1, 2008

On February 1, 2008, a 34-year old field service mechanic for Thompson Tractor Company, Inc., was fatally injured while working on the diesel engine of a Caterpillar D10R bulldozer at the Reed Minerals, Inc., Jap Creek Mine in Walker County, Alabama. To observe movement of a potentially damaged lifter and to place it in a better position for retrieval, the victim requested that a co-worker "bump" the engine. "Bumping" the engine involves supplying power to the engine starter to produce limited movement of internal engine components without starting the engine by turning the ignition key to the start position and quickly releasing it. The victim was struck in the left eye when diesel fuel that had accumulated in the cylinder bore was ejected from the open injector sleeve orifice under pressure at a high velocity when the co-worker "bumped" the engine. 



The accident occurred because: (1) the victim had not been provided with hazard training in safe working procedures and the safety hazards related to the failure to remove residual fluid from cylinder bores, (2) power was supplied to the engine starter causing motion of internal engine components while repairs/maintenance was being performed, and (3) the victim was not wearing eye protection.