Industrial Incidents

Forklifts

Forklifts are common in industrial settings and as a result, BRC is called upon to review the interaction between such equipment and individuals who work in and around them. BRC is experienced in the analysis of a variety of forklift incidents when there are questions regarding injury causation and the steps leading up to a reported injury. BRC Consultants evaluate the forces that occur in a specific incident, assess injury mechanisms, and assess potential for injury.

Heavy Equipment

Industrial sites employ a variety of heavy equipment in order to accomplish the work required. Incidents arise where injuries are attributed to the operation of such equipment or as a result of being around or near such equipment. BRC is often asked to analyze an operator’s motion and the forces to evaluate how an injury was caused. BRC Consultants analyze the possibility of a causal relationship between the reported injuries and the incident as described. BRC has experience in analyzing incidents that involve cranes, bulldozers, front-end loaders, trenchers, backhoes, trucks, trailers, conveyors, etc. Unique situations can occur when these types of equipment are used in the field. Although no two situations are exactly alike, injury causation analysis can be used to assess injury potential. BRC Consultants review available physical evidence to evaluate the forces applied and then compare those forces with the human body’s tolerance for injury.

Light Industrial Equipment

In light industrial equipment incidents, BRC is experienced in analyzing forces and an operator’s motion to assess whether the potential for injury exists and if an injury could have been caused. Industrial operations involve a wide variety of machines and equipment, and BRC Consultants have assessed incidents involving machine tools, chippers, shredders, drills, conveyors, grinders, saws, and hammers. Injury patterns are analyzed in order to investigate the injury mechanism and assess reported events leading up to a reported injury. Injuries in these settings can be investigated related to a one time event or repetitive use of the equipment over time.

Consultants

Richard A. Allnutt, MD, MPH, MS

Karyn J. Ayres, MD, MPH

C.E. “Ted” Bain, BEng, MD

Robert D. Banks, BEng, MD

James V. Benedict, PhD, MD

Alfred P. Bowles II, MD

Joseph M. Cormier, PhD, PE

James R. Funk, PhD, PE

Richard M. Harding, BSc, MB BS, PhD

Whitman E. McConnell, MD, MPH

Thomas M. McNish, MD, MPH