The coroner found that inadequate support and the use of steel-on-steel contact caused the half-tonne machine to slide and fall, calling the death entirely preventable.
The case prompted a warning about New Zealand’s DIY culture and safety at home, with recommendations to use proper jacks, stands, and ramps when working under vehicles.
Image credit: Tekton
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Reminds me of an inquest I was at for a different reason
A young guy nearly in tears was describing how his father was pulling a nail lurched backwards into a door frame receiving life altering injuries
Same thing when trying to pull a plant out of the ground…falling back into the wall of the house or on the curb of the sidewalk.
Soften the soil w/ water, dig around the roots, or just dynamite the damn thing if too large.
Be careful of garages with wooden floors. Even it is ply. Jacks and floor stands focus the weight on one narrow point. Ramps are safer because the are more stable and spread the load. Use backup floor stands. Use a large proper purpose built oil jack and not the scissor, jack that is in your boot.
Research has shown that the use of various restraints, such as chains, ropes and tie-down straps can often be employed and, if used correctly, can prevent heavy things from falling off onto a person underneath it bashing it with a hammer or pulling it with a wrench.