Alert no. 107 | 08 August 2022 | Version v1
Uncontrolled movement of equipment causing a serious eye injury
What happened?
A worker suffered a serious injury to their eye due to an uncontrolled movement of equipment during work activities associated with a rig camp move. The injury required immediate surgery with interim medical advice confirming there will be permanent damage to the eye.
How did it happen?
A truck driver was assisting with dismantling plant and equipment in preparation to relocate a rig camp. This task included storing removed equipment into a tool shack. An earthing rod was placed vertically inside a tool shack where it fell and rebounded, striking the worker in the eye.
Key issues
- The worker was inexperienced in the activity being carried out
- There was a lack of supervision and guidance during the work activity
- There was restricted visibility in the area of the work activity
- The activity being carried out was an incidental activity on a petroleum lease:
- risks were considered less due the work activity being an ancillary activity
- basic risk controls, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), were not being worn by the worker.
Critical controls that failed during this specific work task:
- Providing guidance and supervision to the worker that had limited experience
- A specific location to store earth rods
- Operational lighting in the work area and inside the tool shack
- Available PPE (eye protection) that may have prevented or mitigated the injury.
Recommendations
- Operators carrying out similar authorised activities should assess and implement similar risk management controls for ancillary work sites, for example:
- training, supervision and safety procedures in place at operating plant should also include authorised activities such as rig camps.
- Although PPE is the lowest level of control, it can be the last line of defence between a person and an interaction with a hazard. This incident reinforces the importance to maintain all critical controls that address both process safety and personal safety.
- At all times, the complete hierarchy of controls should be applied to manage all risks to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).
Contact: Tony Willis, Manager Investigations , +61 477 395 955 Tony.Willis@rshq.qld.gov.au
Issued by Resources Safety & Health Queensland
Safety: This information is a guide only and is issued to promote safety through experience. It is not to be taken as a statement of law and must not be construed to waive or modify any legal obligation.
Placement: Place this announcement on noticeboards and ensure all relevant people in your organisation receive a copy.
Placement: Place this announcement on noticeboards and ensure all relevant people in your organisation receive a copy.
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