An accidental death when working with a screw log splitter. A case report

Abstract

A case of the accidental death of a 42-year-old male injured by a screw log splitter in the yard of a private house necessitated a post-mortem examination and the technical evaluation of the machinery. The autopsy revealed fatal traumatic lesions to the head, caused by impact with a downward-moving log. Analysis of the scene of the accident showed that the machinery was not equipped with safety systems and was used incorrectly by the operators. The decision of the Criminal Court determined the absence of liability of the parties to be persecuted.

Medicolegal Implications of Fatalities Because of Entanglement in the Augers of Feed Mixer Wagons

“…– the action of vehicles, mechanical tools (eg, chainsaws, wood cutting machines, harvesters, grass trimmers, screw log splitters, hay baling machines etc.) and of objects, tools or mechanical components which had broken off and ejected by the machineries 2,8,20–23 ;…”

“…– the operator's age (people older than 50 years have a mortality rate, which is almost twice that of younger people), preexisting diseases (cardiorespiratory, neurological, metabolic, musculoskeletal) and the consumption of alcohol or drugs which affect psychophysical capability (loss of hearing and vision, lack of balance and coordination, and slower reaction times) 2,4–11,19,23–26,29,31–35 …”

“…entanglement in gears or loss of control of self-propelled or towed machinery for the transport, handling or treatment of agricultural products 8,19 ; the action of vehicles, mechanical tools (eg, chainsaws, wood cutting machines, harvesters, grass trimmers, screw log splitters, hay baling machines etc.) and of objects, tools or mechanical components which had broken off and ejected by the machineries 2,8,[20][21][22][23] ; falls from height (out of the driver's cabin or from construction units) 2,8,24 ; injuries caused by animals (cattle or other large animals, venomous animals, anaphylaxis due to hymenoptera venom) 2,8,25 ; exposure to chemical or other polluting substances or biological agents 2,[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]24,26,27 ; electrocution from electric cables or lightning strikes [2][3][4][5][6][7][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]26,28 ; drowning in waterways, vats or tanks. [2][3]…”

“…failure to evaluate risk; inadequate technical knowledge or lack of training and qualification on how to operate machinery and equipment; lack of safety equipment; outdated and/or poorly maintained machinery/tools; prolonged strenuous physical activities resulting in fatigue, during the day and at night, sometimes under challenging environment and in adverse weather conditions; working alone in isolated places where it is difficult to alert rescue services and where medical intervention and transfer to hospital may be delayed; the operator's age (people older than 50 years have a mortality rate, which is almost twice that of younger people), preexisting diseases (cardiorespiratory, neurological, metabolic, musculoskeletal) and the consumption of alcohol or drugs which affect psychophysical capability (loss of hearing and vision, lack of balance and coordination, and slower reaction times). 2,[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]19,[23][24][25][26]29,[31][32][33][34][35] The aim of this review is to highlight the medicolegal implications in terms of the reconstruction of the dynamics of fatal accidents and the diagnosis of rare fatalities involving a specific type of machines known as feed mixer or total mixed ration mixer wagons, which are commonly used on livestock farms to shred silage, mix it with other ingredients, and deliver it directly to the feeding troughs. The majority of such fatalities occur when the operator dies after getting entangled in the augers or, less frequently, after being crushed by the moving wagon.…”