Operator injured by arm rest on CAT 980 
        
    
    
    
        ACTIVITY:
        BEHAVIOURAL SAFETY MANAGEMENT
     
    
        SUB ACTIVITY:
        NO SUB ACTIVITY AVAILABLE
     
 
    
    
        DATE ISSUED:
        30/11/2021 18:07:45
     
    
 
         
    
        TITLE
        Operator injured by arm rest on CAT 980
        COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
        
     
    
        
            
WHAT HAPPENED
        
        Injured Person (IP) sustained a severe laceration to the top of index finger, resulting in an over 7 day lost time injury, due to a failure of a CAT 980 arm rest unit
.
On this machine the arm rest unit and joystick control are raised and lowered to allow operator access and egress from the machine.  A piston ram is connected to the seat and the unit to assist with the lifting and lowering, similar manner to operating a car boot.
As the IP was lowering the unit back into the horizontal position, it become stuck. As the IP investigated the cause, the unit released and fell trapping the IPs finger. 
An investigation identified that the connecting pin attaching the piston ram to the seat had sheered.
At the time of the incident, the machine was three months old. Two other CAT 980s (delivered at same time) were also found to have a similar issue with the arm rest. All arm rests have now been modified in accordance with manufacturers instruction. 
     
    
    ACCIDENT / INCIDENT IMAGES
    
        Click image to enlarge
        
         Armrest down
        
        Armrest down
     
    
        Click image to enlarge
        
         Armrest in up position to allow access
        
        Armrest in up position to allow access
     
 
 
LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS TAKEN
  
1.	If something does not work as expected, it should be treated it with extreme caution as it could be in an unsafe condition and not react as expected. Ensure body parts are kept clear from potential nip points.
2.	Arrange with supplier  for inspection to be undertaken of CAT 980  armrest.
 
    
LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS IMAGES
  
                                            Click image to enlarge
                                            
                                             Faulty piston
                                     
                                            
                                           Faulty piston
 
 
    
    
     
        
        
            ACTIVITY:
            BEHAVIOURAL SAFETY MANAGEMENT
         
        
            SUB ACTIVITY:
            NO SUB ACTIVITY AVAILABLE
         
     
    
        
        
            DATE ISSUED:
            30/11/2021 18:07:45
         
        
     
 
         
                                            
                                                                                  
                                            
                                           
    
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