Two Auto Mechanics
Crushed Under Tow Truck

During the spring of 1998, two male auto mechanics, ages 42 and 48, were killed while working under the back end of a tow truck. The men were doing routine repair work on the rear axle and differential of the truck. The back end of the truck was raised from the floor and supported by the hydraulic central arm of the wheel lift at the rear of the tow truck. One jack stand was placed under the central arm to gain more height. This is a common practice during maintenance of tow trucks, as the wheel lift hydraulics are both power-up and power-down, and therefore, are capable of raising the back of the tow truck. Older wheel lifts had 4-way operation, up-down, and in-out. This wheel lift was a newer 6-way model, which had two additional movements, tilt up, and tilt down. The wheel lift arm was tilted up slightly when the jack stand was put underneath. The parking brakes were ineffective on the truck because the rear wheels had been removed after the truck was raised. The front wheels were not chocked, therefore there was little resistance to the truck rolling backward. No additional jacks or supports were put under the truck before the men began work. As the men worked on the rear axle, they caused the truck to roll slightly backward. The jack stand slipped backwards off the tilted wheel lift, and the rear end of the truck fell to the floor, instantly killing both men underneath.

#1: Vehicles must be properly supported when working under them.

--Removing both rear wheels of this truck disabled the parking brake!
--The base of a jack stand is narrow, and is not designed to handle sideways movement.
--Since the front wheels were not chocked, very little force was required for the stinger to slip off the jack stand.
--Two heavy tire rims stacked and welded together makes an inexpensive alternative support.
--Yet, even if the vehicle is raised in this fashion, it is still essential that the front wheels are chocked and additional supports of adequate capacity be used before working under the vehicle.

#2: Vehicle repair shops should implement and enforce a written safety program, which includes safe procedures for working under raised vehicles.

--Auto and truck repair shops should have written safety programs, which describe safe working procedures for hazardous tasks, such as working under raised vehicles.
--Owners and supervisors should enforce that safe procedures are followed.
--Resources are available to assist small businesses establishing safety programs.

#3 Manufacturers, auto/truck shops and tow truck owners should be educated about the hazards of using the wheel lift arm as a support for the tow truck during maintenance and repair.

--Using the stinger appears to be a common method for raising and supporting a tow truck.
--As in this case, it is extremely hazardous unless proper supports are used under the truck. --Owners manuals for tow trucks should address this hazard, and education should be provided to auto/truck shop owners, mechanics, and tow truck owners regarding this hazard.