Worker pinned in loader accident (injuries were considered life-threatening)

[Omaha Steve]

Yes I'm on my lunch break

Photo at link: http://www.omaha.com/article/20100414/NEWS01/100419785#worker-pinned-in-loader-accident

A construction worker was taken to Creighton University Medical Center in critical condition after the bucket of the skid loader he was operating hit him in the head.

The man, whose name has not yet been released, was with a construction crew installing handicapped-accessible ramps along Maple Street.

He was working near 88th Street about 8 a.m. Wednesday when the bucket hit him in the head and pinned him, said Greg Armstrong, vice president of Swain Construction.

The worker was partly in the skid loader when he was hit, and Armstrong said it was unclear how the accident happened.

Police said his injuries were considered life-threatening.

— Jason Kuiper

[catnhatnh]

1. Obvious case of "Bobcat Brain"....

And well known to any skid-steer operator. You must never-NEVER-attempt to exit the Bobcat while the boom is raised.To exit the machine while the boom is raised you must pass UNDER the boom while climbing OVER the pedals that operate the boom. Operator error, but the poor bastard ain't the first and (sadly) won't be the last. The real crime is how many landscaping services have part-time kids operating these during the summer...