Unexpected truck movement caused rigger to fall off a ladder

An unexpected movement of a container loaded truck during disconnection of the container’s rigging, caused a rigger to fall off a ladder leaning against the container.

Two containers were being loaded onto a trailer truck using a mobile crane. The supervisor conducted the toolbox talk before starting work. The riggers removed the container’s rigging (chain hooks), using a ladder to access the connection points.

The first container was loaded without incident. The second container was loaded onto the trailer and the riggers began to remove the chain hooks whilst the supervisor and driver secured the twist locks. To access the 4th and last chain hook the rigger positioned the ladder against the rear of truck trailer.

After securing the twist locks the driver went to the cab. He checked the side mirrors and could only see the supervisor, and so proceeded to drive forward, assuming the lifting crew had already de-rigged the container.

The rigger was approximately one metre above the ground and the 4th chain hook was still attached to the container and the crane, when the truck moved forward.

The driver heard people shouting, and stopped the truck after it had moved around half a metre forward.  Due to the truck movement, the rigger slipped off the ladder, sustaining bruising to his leg.

Findings were:

• The supervisor did not provide the driver with an induction or briefing when he arrived at the yard.
  
  
• The Permit to Work for Working at Height indicated that a free standing work platform was to be used, but this was not used.
  
  
• The driver assumed that he was clear to drive forward.
  
  
• The Task Risk Assessment did not assess the risks introduced by or to the driver.