Safety Alert for Supervisors: 08/17/2026

Incident summary A man was killed after his tractor stuck a tree stump, flipped over backward and pinned him to the ground. What happened A worker decided to use a tractor to transport a 16- inch-wide by 90-foot-long tree out of a wooded area. A coworker had offered to cut the tree into smaller pieces using a chain saw, but the staff member rejected that suggestion, opting to move the entire tree all at once. Before the crew member began the task, he failed to inspect the work area to confirm that there were no hidden obstacles. The worker wrapped one end of a chain around the trunk of the tree and the other end around a three-point top link pin on the tractor. The crew member climbed into the cab and began to move the vehicle forward. Within seconds, the passenger side front tire struck a hidden tree stump. When the tire began to climb up the tree stump, the angle of the pull changed, moving the vehicle’s center of gravity outside the rear stability baseline and causing the tractor to overturn to the rear. The vehicle flipped over, and the steering wheel struck the operator in the head. He wound up pinned beneath the tractor in a sitting position on the ground. The coworker raced over to help his mate. He was unable to lift the tractor off the victim, so he called for emergency services. Officials arrived six minutes later, but the man was already dead from traumatic asphyxia. Findings The employee should’ve inspected the work area before starting the job. Had he done so, he probably would’ve noticed the stump in the path of the tractor and either removed the stump or changed the vehicle’s path of travel. Man dies after vehicle flips over, pins him to the ground Crew member failed to inspect work area before starting task You make the call: Supervisor claims contractor set up defective equipment “ Y ou had two crew members working from an elevated location while standing on scaffolding,” said Tammy, the compliance officer. “However, the scaffold was missing several planks. I’m hitting you with a citation.” “It’s unfortunate that the scaffold didn’t have as many planks as it should have,” said George, the supervisor, “but you’re barking up the wrong tree here, Tammy. We didn’t erect the scaffold.” “Who put up the scaffold?” asked Tammy. “A contract company installed the scaffold,” said George. “OK,” said Tammy, “you didn’t set up the scaffold. But that doesn’t mean you’re not liable for the safety violation.” “Why not?” asked George. Using the scaffold “Your crew members were using the scaffolding,” said Tammy, “so you were responsible for making sure the equipment had been properly installed.” “How could we know that the scaffold wasn’t set up properly when we weren’t the ones who erected it?” asked George. “Your crew had been working at the site for at least five days with the defective scaffolding,” said Tammy. “Surely, one of your supervisors should’ve seen that the scaffold wasn’t safe.” “Keep in mind that some of the staff members were using fall protection gear,” said George. “That’s true,” said Tammy, “but some of them weren’t. The fine sticks.” Didn’t install “We didn’t install the scaffold,” said George, “so we’ll fight your citation.” Did the company win? 2 Safety News Survey: Employees often avoid discipline because managers play favorites. 2 Quick Ideas Why staff members who have deep, dark tans still need to apply sunscreen. 3 Legal Developments Did worker die because his employer ignored two previous incidents? 3 Horror Stories Man falls through tarp, tumbles into digester filled with toxic sludge. 4 Safety Meeting Horseplay is a leading cause of preventable work-related injuries. In this issue ■ Make your call, then go to page 3 for the court’s ruling. August 17, 2026 SafetyAlert FOR SUPERVISORS The No. 1 source of actionable information to help supervisors keep their people safe Including: Supervisor’s Safety Toolbox