A TRUCK driver who died instantly when a bulk tanker he was unloading turned over had failed to use stabilising legs on the vehicle during the procedure, an inquest has heard.
Ross O’Donovan (28), of Ardan, Bandon, Co Cork, was unloading high-protein flour from a bulk tanker into a silo at Neville’s Bakery, Kylemore Industrial Estate, Dublin 10, on the morning of January 14th, 2009.
Mr O’Donovan, an employee of Tom Creedon Ltd, a haulage contractor based in Cork, suffered severe injuries to his head and torso and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Tallaght hospital.
Tommy O’Sullivan, an inspector with the Health and Safety Authority, told an inquest at Dublin County Coroner’s Court yesterday that the incident occurred because stabilising legs on the truck weren’t used and the tanker was elevated in one complete lift. CCTV footage shows the tanker leaning to one side four minutes after the tanker begins to lift, the court heard. The wheels on the left side then lift, before the vehicle turns over.
An experienced bulk tanker operator, Ted Cronin, told the inquest the stabilising legs must always be down before starting to raise the body of the tanker. He said Mr O’Donovan was a competent driver and operator.
A verdict of accidental death was returned under the direction of coroner Dr Kieran Geraghty. A switch to turn off the vehicle at the back of such tankers was recommended. “He was a very young man and it’s terribly tragic he died in this way,” he said.