Incident alert
ACTIVITY:
ACCESS & EGRESS & WORKING AT HEIGHT
TITLE
Access & Egress Mobile Plant
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
United Kingdom
ACCIDENT / INCIDENT DETAILS
A mobile plant operator was climbing down from a bulldozer after cleaning the cab windows. He placed his left foot on the concrete floor when dismounting. When bringing his right foot down from the bottom step, his full body weight transferred and he went over on his left foot/ankle. This resulted in the injured person sustaining a fractured metatarsal in his left foot and a swollen ankle.
ACCIDENT / INCIDENT IMAGES
LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS TAKEN
The machine was generally tidy, well maintained, and parked in a designated bay on a concrete floor, however:
• The design of the bulldozer didn’t allow for holding onto the handrail when making the final dismount onto the ground, encouraging a leaning body position and unstable dismount down to firm ground: When procuring new vehicles, plant and equipment, do we consider access requirements, involving operators where possible in evaluations? Do risk assessments and safe systems of work take into consideration access and egress arrangements, with modifications being specified / undertaken as appropriate? Is plant inspected when it first arrives on site to ensure there is suitable access and egress? In this instance the bulldozer was off-hired following the incident and replaced by one with better access.
•The operators knew that the access / egress method was not ideal but it was an accepted practice and nobody raised this as a hazard: Are operators encouraged to report problems via the near miss hazard alert process and consulted when trying to find better and safer solutions?
•Window cleaning equipment on telescopic poles was available at the site to reduce the need to work at height: Do we use work methods that eliminate / reduce risks wherever possible?
•There was a build-up of material on the step: Do operators of mobile plant and vehicles ensure both the steps and their safety boots are clean before climbing up / down?
•The operator was wearing all the required PPE for the job, including lace up safety boots: Do all employees, visitors and contractors wear lace up safety boots, and are they laced up correctly, using all eyelets, to ensure maximum ankle protection?
LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS IMAGES
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