Determining the cause of the worker's injury required assessing the human, mechanical and environmental components surrounding the incident.
Scientific testing was used to determine the cause of the failure of this Life Cube.
An engineering analysis can be used to determine if the ride was designed with a sufficient margin of safety.
Greg Wright documents the mechanical action of a hydraulic coupler for further analysis to determine if the coupler’s design and movements led to the failure.
Machine, Product Analysis
When examining a product case, it is imperative to determine whether the injury or loss was caused by a product failure, or if other factors were responsible.
Analysis of the product case can encompass:- Product design, manufacture and warnings,
- Training, maintenance and repairs,
- Human factors and interaction with equipment,
- Post-manufacture product modifications.
The investigation may incorporate mechanical engineering, materials/metallurgical engineering, electrical engineering, biomechanics, and statistical analysis of multiple failure events.
Ruhl Forensic staff has consulted in cases involving numerous and varied products, including:
Equipment
- Heavy Construction Equipment
- Cranes
- Manlifts / Forklifts
- Agricultural Equipment
- Industrial Food Processing Equipment
- Conveyors / Material Handling Equipment
- Amusement Park Rides
- Exercise Equipment
- Industrial Equipment: Lathes / Mills / Presses
- Fire Rescue Equipment
- Refuse Equipment
Systems
- Safety / Guarding / Warnings
- Lock Out / Tag Out
- OSHA Compliance
- Pneumatic / Hydraulic / Electrical Systems
Machine/Product Analysis Staff
|
Mark G. Strauss, Ph.D. Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering B.S. in Mechanical Engineering |
 |
Thomas F. Conry, Ph.D., P.E. Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering B.S. in Engineering Mechanics |
 |
|
Phillip M. McLaughlin, M.S. M.S. in Mechanical Engineering |
 |
Scott C. Buck Heavy Construction Equipment Specialist |
 |
|
Gregory M. Wright Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Specialist ASE Certified Master Heavy / Medium Truck Technician |
 |
James V. Carnahan, Ph.D., P.E. Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences |
 |
|
Keith R. Erickson, B.S., P.E. B.S. in Electrical Engineering |
 |
Harry S. Wildblood, M.S. M.S. in General Engineering |
 |
|
Carl J. Altstetter, Sc.D. Sc.D. in Materials Science and Engineering |
 |
