Securing raised tilt cabs

The purpose of this Safety Alert is to remind workers and persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) to properly engage all safety mechanisms before undertaking maintenance work on vehicles and machinery.

Background

A station hand carrying out maintenance work in the engine compartment of a truck received fatal injuries when the cab fell back onto him.

The truck, a Mitsubishi FV418, required the cab to be tilted up and forward to access the engine compartment. When the cab is tilted forward, a cab support is extended and engaged to hold the tilted cab in place. A locking pin is required to be inserted into the cab support to prevent the cab support from being accidentally disengaged and falling back into place.

Contributing factors

• The locking pin was either dislodged or not inserted, allowing the cab support to disengage.

Action required

• Before undertaking any maintenance on vehicles or machinery workers should refer to the vehicle or machinery operating manual and follow all safety instructions.
• All safety mechanisms should be engaged and checked before the commencement of maintenance work on vehicles or machinery.
• PCBU’s concerned with the suitability of the inbuilt safety mechanism should consider, in consultation with the manufacturer, additional safety mechanisms such as:
• Using additional cab struts to secure the cab
• Using a cotter pin or similar restraint to secure the locking pin if there are concerns it can be easily dislodged.