Utility task vehicle rollover

What happened?

A utility task vehicle (UTV), also called an all-terrain vehicle, sustained extensive damage when it overturned in a ditch and caught fire.

The operator lost control of the UTV on the deeply rutted and snow-covered road. It skidded across the road and flipped upside down. The fuel cap was knocked off during the rollover and the spilled fuel ignited.

The operator was able to walk away and call for assistance. The fire was quickly extinguished.

utv rolled over into ditch and the spilled fuel ignited destroying the vehicle

Why did it happen?

The driver was going too fast for conditions.
The road was deeply rutted and snow-covered.

What did they learn?

Employer should ensure workers are competent before operating equipment.
Supervisors are to communicate the importance of reviewing hazards and controls daily, and again when any conditions change with all affected workers.
Supervisors are responsible to ensure workers are competent, and that they are operate equipment safely.
Workers need to be trained on the specific equipment they operate prior to use, and should be knowledgeable about equipment limitations.

Ask yourself or your crew

How can something like this happen here (e.g. on our site)?
What safety measures (i.e. procedures, controls/barriers) do we have in place to mitigate the risk?
How do we know the risk controls/barriers are working?
What improvements or changes should we make to the procedures, controls/barriers or the way we work?

What happened?

A utility task vehicle (UTV), also called an all-terrain vehicle, sustained extensive damage when it overturned in a ditch and caught fire.
The operator lost control of the UTV on the deeply rutted and snow-covered road. It skidded across the road and flipped upside down. The fuel cap was knocked off during the rollover and the spilled fuel ignited.
The operator was able to walk away and call for assistance. The fire was quickly extinguished.
Why did it happen?
- The driver was going too fast for conditions.
- The road was deeply rutted and snow-covered.
What did they learn?
- Employer should ensure workers are competent before operating equipment.
- Supervisors are to communicate the importance of reviewing hazards and controls daily, and again when any conditions change with all affected workers.
- Supervisors are responsible to ensure workers are competent, and that they are operate equipment safely.
- Workers need to be trained on the specific equipment they operate prior to use, and should be knowledgeable about equipment limitations.
Ask yourself or your crew
- How can something like this happen here (e.g. on our site)?
- What safety measures (i.e. procedures, controls/barriers) do we have in place to mitigate the risk?
- How do we know the risk controls/barriers are working?
- What improvements or changes should we make to the procedures, controls/barriers or the way we work?