A twenty-five year old delivery man for a lumber company was delivering a load of lumber to a construction site. The load included approximately 20 roof trusses. Although the delivery vehicle was equipped with a hydraulic lift it was decided to unload the lumber by hand. He was assisted by two carpenters at the site.

When the first of the metal strapping was cut open, there was a slight shift in the trusses. When a further metal strapping at the front of the truck was released the entire load shifted. While the delivery man attempted to stabilize the load so that it would not hit the vertical stack of the truck, the trusses apparently sprung and struck him on the side of the head. His head then hit the truck, resulting in a fatal head injury. Evidence suggested he died immediately.

The carpenters who helped to unload this lumber said it was their habit to unload by hand instead of dumping primarily because this method caused less damage to the lumber.

A bound load designed to be dumped should never be unloaded by hand. Safety practices should never be compromised.