OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #14215495

FIREFIGHTER,HEAT,FIRE,SMOKE INHALATION

1985-04-01T00:00:00

Event: FIREFIGHTER,HEAT,FIRE,SMOKE INHALATION
Linked inspection: No inspection record linked to this accident's victims.
Summary number: 14215495
Report ID: 454510

Event description

OVERCOME BY HEAT AND FIRE WHILE FIGHTING A FOREST FIRE

Investigation abstract

EMPLOYEE #1, A MEMBER OF A CREW FIGHTING A FOREST FIRE, WAS ASSIGNED THE TASK OF CUTTING A FIRE LINE WITH A CATERPILLAR D-6 TRACTOR. EMPLOYEE #1 DROVE THE TRACT OR INTO SOME HIGH BRUSH, WHERE THE ENGINE QUIT ON HIM. HE RESTARTED THE ENGINE A ND TRIED TO BACK THE TRACTOR OUT OF THE BRUSH. HE APPARENTLY TRIED TO BACK UP TO O FAST AND THE PLOW HE WAS TOWING JACKKNIFED. THE EMPLOYEE APPARENTLY PANICKED, JUMPED FROM THE TRACTOR AND TOOK OFF RUNNING. HE WAS FOUND A SHORT WHILE LATER. HE DIED OF SMOKE INHALATION AND EXPOSURE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES.

Victim

#1 Fatality Age 34 M

Nature of injury
5

Part of body
4

Event type
14

Source
16

Occupation code
417

Human factor
14

Environmental factor
11

Task assigned
1

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