Telehandler overturns, pinning and killing construction worker in Tennessee

Updated Nov 26, 2014

telehandler overturningA construction worker in Tennessee was killed earlier this week after the telehandler he was operating overturned and pinned him beneath.

According to the Brentwood Home Page, 45-year-old Greg Rigney was killed while unloading a delivery on a jobsite in Shelbyville Tuesday morning.

Police said first responders found Rigney beneath a “large forklift type machine” and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

It is still unclear why the machine overturned. In the event of a tip over, forklift and telehandler operators are encouraged to fight the urge to jump out of the machine. Instead, it’s best to brace yourself and stay inside the machine with seat belt fastened while leaning away from the point of impact.

You and your crew can read more tips on staying safe in the event of a telehandler or forklift overturning, and how to avoid such an accident, by downloading our Safety Watch tear-out here.