Investigating Ladder Falls: Equipment Failure or User Error?
Falls from ladders result in approximately 15,000 injuries and about 400 to 500 deaths each year. While there are numerous factors that can contribute to a fall from a ladder,…
How to Secure Your Child’s Car Seat Using LATCH
If you are like many parents and caregivers today, you are using LATCH to install your child’s car seat in your vehicle. LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for…
Aerial Error: Firetruck Ladder Case Study
Case Summary: At the scene of a fire, a firefighter climbed a truck-mounted ladder to adjust the flow of water to better direct it onto the fire. He ascended the…
Paratransit Wheelchair Tiedown & Occupant Restraint
Case Summary: A paratransit service was transporting the plaintiff to a doctor’s appointment when their vehicle was involved in a minor crash. During the crash, the plaintiff, in their personal…
Seatbelt Failure Caused by Removal of Critical Component
Case Summary: An armored car was involved in a frontal collision with another vehicle. The guard, who was seated in the rear compartment in a forward-facing seat equipped with a…
Pull Up Bar Failure
Case Summary: One afternoon, two women were working out together at a fitness center. As part of their workout, they were doing hanging leg/knee raises on a long bar affixed…
Exploding Portable Air Tank: Were There Clues to the Impending Failure?
Incident Description: A man received a call from his daughter, who had a flat tire and needed his help. The man grabbed a portable compressed air tank, which he planned…
The Wrong Way To Clean A Meat Mixer/Blender
Thomas J. Cocchiola, PE, CSP, Mechanical Engineering Consultant :::: Accident: A company that brands and sells meat products operates a plant with several production lines. The stainless-steel production machinery must…
