Removing uprights to prepare flatcar surface
Railroad yard worker climbing onto flatcar and wresting loose I beam

WORKPLACE INJURY-MECHANISM OF INJURY

In the workplace injury images below, attorneys requested us to demonstrate the mechanism of injury for a railroad yard worker who had had been seriously injured in a work accident.  The worker was reconfiguring flatcars to handle wider loads than standard.  After removing uprights on the flatcar, 110 pound I beam lengths were tack welded to provide access to the pan of the car for the worker and to mark the width desired for loading larger equipment.

As he stepped up the side ladder and gripped the I beam, it rotated towards him, sliding over the side of the flatcar.  He wrested it back up on the top of the flat car to keep it from falling on him.  Securing the I beam back on the flatcar bed, he tore ligaments in his arm and lower back, severely injuring himself.

                                                    < RETURN TO 3D ANIMATION