A coroner ruling on the death of a Far North man under a ride-on mower says it is a warning about the risks of DIY if proper methods are not used.
Ian McLarnon, who lived at Pukenui, north of Kaitāia, was a skilled handyman who loved working on machines and his collection of muscle cars.
But tragically the 75-year-old died in 2022 when the half-tonne mower he was fixing slipped off a forklift, pinning him underneath.
More than three years later Coroner Rachael Schimdt-McCleave has released her findings – that McLarnon died of asphyxia caused by the weight of the mower.
She also found his death was entirely preventable, and a warning to other DIYers.
Schimdt-McCleave said McLarnon had been working on the mower’s drive belt at the time. He used a small forklift to raise the mower about 30cm off the ground so he could slide underneath it on his back.
However, much of the weight of the mower was outside the confines of the forklift, and was effectively pivoting on the left-hand tong.
McLarnon’s work on the drive belt caused the mower to slide off the forks.
The local fire brigade was needed to free him from under the mower.
Schimdt-McCleave found the method he had used to elevate the mower was inadequate to support and immobilise it while he was underneath. That was compounded by the lack of grip of steel resting on steel.
“It is a feature of New Zealand’s DIY culture that many people like to tinker on machinery and vehicles in their own homes. The risks are great if proper methods are not followed.”
Schimdt-McCleave said anyone working under vehicles needed to use the right jack for the job.
A trolley jack should be used, after checking the manual for the correct lifting points, and support stands had to be placed under the vehicle.
The vehicle should be parked on a hard, flat surface and any unlifted wheels should be chocked before raising the vehicle.
The park brake should also be applied, if applicable.
Vehicle ramps could also be used if similar precautions were taken, she said.
The inquiry was conducted ‘on papers’ in Palmerston North without an in-person inquest.A coroner ruling on the death of a Far North man under a ride-on mower says it is a warning about the risks of DIY if proper methods are not used.
Ian McLarnon, who lived at Pukenui, north of Kaitāia, was a skilled handyman who loved working on machines and his collection of muscle cars.
But tragically the 75-year-old died in 2022 when the half-tonne mower he was fixing slipped off a forklift, pinning him underneath.
More than three years later Coroner Rachael Schimdt-McCleave has released her findings — that McLarnon died of asphyxia caused by the weight of the mower.
She also found his death was entirely preventable, and a warning to other DIYers.
Schimdt-McCleave said McLarnon had been working on the mower’s drive belt at the time. He used a small forklift to raise the mower about 30cm off the ground so he could slide underneath it on his back.
However, much of the weight of the mower was outside the confines of the forklift, and was effectively pivoting on the left-hand tong.
McLarnon’s work on the drive belt caused the mower to slide off the forks.
The local fire brigade was needed to free him from under the mower.
Schimdt-McCleave found the method he had used to elevate the mower was inadequate to support and immobilise it while he was underneath. That was compounded by the lack of grip of steel resting on steel.
“It is a feature of New Zealand’s DIY culture that many people like to tinker on machinery and vehicles in their own homes. The risks are great if proper methods are not followed.”
Schimdt-McCleave said anyone working under vehicles needed to use the right jack for the job.
A trolley jack should be used, after checking the manual for the correct lifting points, and support stands had to be placed under the vehicle.
The vehicle should be parked on a hard, flat surface and any unlifted wheels should be chocked before raising the vehicle.
The park brake should also be applied, if applicable.
Vehicle ramps could also be used if similar precautions were taken, she said.
The inquiry was conducted ‘on papers’ in Palmerston North without an in-person inquest.
rnz.co.nz
