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this was just posted by a member on OL but no knowing if accurate ;)
Quote:
Yes it was Cityview. The man died from internal injuries suffered from exiting the vehicle as it rolled (no seatbelt). The Chain was shock loaded, worse yet the vehicle had a winch on the front of it that could have been used.
xxx
I believe many accidents and deaths while using "Recovery" gear could be avoided by proper education of users of this gear.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave_S
For instance, manufacturers and retailers of Winches, cables, chains, tow straps almost without exception advertise the Guaranteed Breaking Strain (GBS) of their products and not the Safe Working Load (SWL) or Working Load Limit (WLL), for instance how many 10,000lb winches with 10mm wire cable do you see advertised.
A 10mm winch cable (depending on quality) would have a SWL or WLL of around 1100 (2420lbs) to 1200 kgs (2640lbs), on a good day.
The SWL or WLL is designed as a Safety Factor (SF) because once you start using and abusing this equipment it deteriorates, e.g. broken wires, kinks, frayed straps, damaged chains.
General purpose use of this gear usually has a Safety Factor (SF) of 5 or 6, which means the SWL or WLL is one fith or one sixth of the GBS to cater for damage and usual wear and tear inflicted on this stuff.
If a chain was used in this tragic case, then it should not have been used, chains are not designed to withstand sudden severe shock loads, they have NO GIVE, a wire cable has SOME GIVE, but in cases as described in this instance a Fabric strap should have been used, recovering a vehicle in circustances where a shock may be applied (inadvertently), it always pays to have a back up line attached in case the main line is broken.
When and if you go to buy a Winch, Cable, Shackles, snatch block, Straps, ASK THE SELLER IF THE FIGURES QUOTED (ADVERTISED) ARE THE SWL OR THE WLL OR THE GBS, IF THEY CANT TELL YOU DON'T BUY IT.
Only ever buy shackles that are rated, the thru bolt (pin) should be thicker than the body of the shackle and should have embossed SWL or WLL on the body of the shackle.
I would love to know exactly what happened, it's a shame we will find out from the Coroner, my sympathies to the Family, Regards Frank.
Also do you all where a seat belt when 4WDing:"Sadly it seems that a lack of seatbelt may have caused his death. I see so many people who insist on taking their seatbelts off as it 'restricts' them offroad. They are there for a reason... please use them."
(unverified statement on outer limits board)
Very sad and my condolences to the family.
Using chains especially shock loading them is frought with danger and something I would never use if any form of shock loading was involved. You also need to know the history of the chain and how to read and interperate the markings. Its just luck no one was hurt by the chain as well. As all riggers and doggers know it is not appropriate use of a chain.
I would personally only use a chain to secure or drag after I had done a thorough inspection of the chain and knew it was suitable. Worn or elongated eyes are the first indication. Would be interesting to know if the chain was a rated item or just a hardware item. Shame the lesson had to be learnt with such catostrophic results.
:(:(
Thanks edited my post to avoid confusion..Quote:
Originally Posted by p38arover
Like every accident, there was a chain (no pun intended) of events, and breaking the chain anywhere would have prevented the death. Just to note a few links in this chain:-Quote:
Originally Posted by CraigE
1. Putting the wheel over the edge in the first place.
2. Use of chain in an unsuitable application.
3. Failure to use a safety line in case of the chain breaking
4. Failure to use a seat belt.
5. Perhaps use of unrated chain or fittings or use of unsafe towing points (if these rather than the chain gave way)
And so on. My point is that you cannot say, with this, as with any accidental death, that there was a single "cause" and concentrate on it to the exclusion of the other links in the chain - in the next case, that particular link may not be present, but the one(s) ignored in the present investigation may have been just as important (although in this case, from the quoted reports, the use of chain and failure to wear a seat belt would seem to be the most important factors).
Chain actually has the advantage over other materials that it does not have much give, so that injury or damage from released strain (on breakage) is unlikely, as well as being very difficult to cut against rocks etc. But as pointed out, for vehicle recovery where shock loads may occur, and the possibility of the vehicle or anything else falling, it is not a good choice, although it may be good, for example, with a vehicle bogged on flat ground, and is definitely the choice for e.g. snigging strainer posts.
John
Best to wait for coroner's report before jumping to any speculative opinions.
Any death is tragic and if any family members or friends ever get to read this - my condolences.
That is largely my point - there will not be a single cause anyway. Like all of us here I agree the death was tragic, and my condolences go to the family and friends - and I hope it was not someone from here or a friend or relative of theirs.Quote:
Originally Posted by 29dinosaur
John
What a tragic day for all involved.
I always wear a seatbelt when we're 4WDing, out of habit of always putting my seat belt on whenever I get in a vehicle. A good choice, as we have experienced a couple of rollovers.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 29dinosaur