Truck Driver Falls from Tanker Truck to His Death

The following report is the product of our Cooperative State partner and is presented here in its original unedited form from the state. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the individual Cooperative State partner and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

SUMMARY

On May 14, 2014, at 10:30 am, a 56-year-old tanker driver arrived at an oil distribution plant with 6,000 gallons of oil. He backed into the garage bay with the guidance of an employee at the distribution plant. The victim exited the cab, climbed onto the top of the tanker, and began the process of venting the oil tanker compartments. The employee was in the bay area, but the driver was not in his sightline. The employee heard the sound of the victim falling approximately 10 feet on to the concrete floor below, went to investigate the noise and found the victim injured on the ground. The oil plant employee then summoned help from other workers. EMS was notified and the victim was transported by helicopter to the nearest local trauma center where he died the following day.

Truck Driver Falls off Tanker Truck to His Death [PDF 571 KB]