The accident: A veteran heavy equipment operator climbed aboard his dozer and began pushing shale rock into stockpiles. The owner of the equipment was also working nearby, picking up the shale with a wheel loader and placing it in dump trucks for removal. Although functional, the dozer was almost 40 years old.
After lunch, the dozer operator resumed work, but unable to loosen any shale from an embankment, he put the dozer into reverse. After backing up approximately 6 feet, a hydraulic line on the left side of the dozer burst, spraying hot hydraulic uid across the exhaust manifold.
Moments later, flames engulfed the operator.
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