On 10th December 2022 an incident occurred at a supply chain & logistics depot within the HGV trailer park. A tyre fitter engaged through a contractor was changing a tyre on a bulk tractor unit when they became trapped under the side steps of the vehicle requiring rescue. As a result of the incident the tyre fitter sustained a number of fractured ribs and required hospital treatment.
The image shows the tractor unit the tyre fitter was working on. The fitter became trapped under the steps of the unit when it appears that the jack, he was using to lift the unit to change the tyre failed or became dislodged (the company is still waiting for the completion of the investigation).
Wheel chocks and secondary axle supports should have been installed as part of the works but were not. The wheel chocks are used to prevent truck movement during works and the secondary supports are used to support the unit should a jack fail or become dislodged.
Key Factors:
- The IP did not use either secondary axle supports or wheel chocks during their work. These requirements were part of the method statement. On investigation secondary supports were found to be within the fitters van, wheel chocks could not be found in the van.
- The IP had used an access code to get through gates that provided security to the site, failed to call security when at the gate, failed to report to the weighbridge as would be the norm, drove to the HGV trailer park within the site and commenced works.
- They did not notify anyone of their arrival (investigations continue as to how the fitter got the access code but current investigations identify this was not given to them by the company)