Health & safety bulletin
First Aid Injury - Cut Finger
20th November 2008
Please see below a safety alert distributed to us by ESSO. The incident detailed could have been prevented if the correct PPE was being worn by the contractor.
This serves as a stark warning that JSAs should ALWAYS be consulted before carrying out any task, this will ensure that the correct PPE and equipment is used at all times.
UK Construction Contractor First Aid Injury - Cut in Finger
What Happened?
The Injured Person (IP) was tightening a small plastic expansion tank to the holding bracket, using a ratchet socket and spanner. The socket tilted and slipped off the nut, the worker's hand slipped and came into contact with the edge of the bracket. The force of the contact with the bracket - which had no burghs, but as it was thin it was also sharp - caused the Neoprene glove worn by the IP, to tear, resulting in the small cut to his index finger just above the finger nail. First aid, consisting of cleaning the wound and applying a band-aid plaster was applied on site.
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Why Did It Happen?
The Socket spanner is a tool that is used routinely. Hence the entire job was approached as a routine job.
- As a consequence the JSA was not consulted and there was a lack of understanding of the specific SH&E risks (mechanical hazards) associated with task. This resulted in the person not wearing the appropriate gloves for the task.
- Consideration had been given to the exposure to dirt and chemical in the man chamber, but no consideration to the mechanical hazard was given despite it being highlighted in the JSA.
What Could Have Prevented The Incident? / Lessons Learned
Perform your Last Minute Risk Assessment to ensure:
- Use of right tools or equipment
Always ensure that a spanner fits the flats on a nut perfectly. A loose fit will damage the nut and cause slipping.- Where a nut is very tight, ensure your hand has a clear area of movement. The sudden release of a nut under pressure can lend to hand injuries. Use e.g. an extension to provide for more space to rotate and for unforeseen events.
Use of correct gloves
- Be aware that gloves exist, that combine protection against chemical products and cuts
Remember
The Last Minute Risk Assessment is a continuous process because...
The Next Minute can be your last one..