Truck Wheel Runs Over Man

The supervisor of a towing company died as a result of falling under a truck wheel.

Intending to help, he had decided to straddle a motorcycle that was on the flatbed of a tow truck. He meant to hold the bike upright on the trip back to the tow yard, about a mile away.

As the tow truck driver slowly made a left-hand turn, the centrifugal force tipped the bike to the right, pinning the victim under the bike. In the effort to struggle free, the victim fell over the side of the moving tow truck, and was run over by the rear wheel. The victim was conscious for some moments after the incident. He died a week later.

Consider these questions:

• How do you transport materials in your business?
• How is the load secured to prevent slippage or falling?
• Are workers allowed to ride in or on vehicles without being secured in a conventional vehicle seat?