A male laborer died after being crushed while cleaning the inside of a concrete mixer at a pipe manufacturing facility.

The 25-year old Mexican immigrant was taking part in the daily routine cleaning procedure when a drastic miscommunication resulted in the machine being turned on with him inside.

At the end of each day, the mixer is shut down. The breaker is shut off, then the toggle switch on the mixer is flipped to ensure the power is down. On the day the man died, a different man began the procedure. He shut down the breaker, but before he checked the toggle switch, he took a phone call.

The victim, thinking he was starting the procedure, flipped the breaker to what he thought was the off position. He then climbed inside the machine without testing it. When the operator returned from his phone call, he picked up the procedure where he left off, flipping the machine’s toggle switch. This started the machine, crushing the victim.

Any time work is done involving hazardous energy (electrical, chemical or mechanical), it’s crucial to lock and tag the energy control source. There should be a formalized safety program, including lockout. Protect yourself – be aware of safe work procedures and follow them.