Lifting Matters Issue 9 December 2009

12 LIFTING MATTERS December 2009

Fatality costs crane firm $150,000. November 28, 2009

Ian Roebuck Crane Hire Ltd of Taranaki, New Zealand, has been fined $100,000 following the death of employee Allan Robert Peacock, 38, last year and ordered to pay $50,000 to his partner.

Peacock died at the premises of McCurdy Engineering on November 17, 2008 after he was struck in the head by a metal shackle attached to a web type lifting sling which was later found to be frayed. The sling was being used in conjunction with a 10 tonne loader crane..

The company was cited for failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of an employee while at work and for failing to ensure the employee was adequately trained and supervised in the safe use of the crane.

Company director, Ian Roebuck was also convicted but discharged, thanks to his guilty plea, his co-operation with the investigation, remedial activity and willingness to offer reparation.

In his judgment, Judge Roberts said Peacock had been attempting to lift a trailer utilising a Hiab loader crane. Peacock was operating the controls at the side of the crane when one of the eye loops on the nylon slings under the trailer broke. Peacock, who was wearing a hard hat, was struck in the head by the shackle.

Judge Roberts added that the company had failed to ensure that the slings were in a safe condition, failed to ascertain the weight of the object to be lifted before selecting the crane to be used, failed to ensure the crane had a load chart and failed to provide Peacock with an operator's manual. The last three omissions were acknowledged by the company.

The judge also found that Roebuck ran a well established business, having operated in Taranaki for close to 35 years without an incident, but said that he found the company's „buddy training‟ process was "simply inadequate".

He added that because Roebuck did not have the funds to pay and that any fines would have to be borrowed, there was little point in imposing a fine on him personally.

"Regrettably, the deceased - an employee of four months - lacked the skills to make the appropriate decisions about the intended lift. He had not been provided with the appropriate training."

www.vertikal.net/en/news/story/9157

HSE Guidance for the festive season

While Shepherds Watched

While shepherds watched

Their flocks by night

All seated on the ground

The angel of the Lord came down

And glory shone around

The union of Shepherd's has complained that it breaches health and safety regulations to insist that shep-herds watch their flocks without appropriate seating arrangements being provided, therefore benches, stools and orthopaedic chairs are now available. Shepherds have also requested that due to the inclement weather conditions at this time of year that they should watch their flocks via cctv cameras from centrally heated shepherd observation huts.

Please note, the angel of the lord is reminded that before shining his / her glory all around she / he must ascertain that all shepherds have been issued with glasses capable of filtering out the harmful effects of UVA, UVB and Glory.

Thank you to [email protected]

LIFTING MATTERS December 2009 1

LIFTING MATTERS Published in the interest of promoting safety in the crane industry

Sharing and Learning

DECEMBER 2009


EDITORIAL

Can you believe that it‟s the end of the year already and also the end of the decade? While times are still currently hard in the crane hire and construction industries there are definite signs that things have bottomed out from the current recessionary economic climate. Hopefully 2010 and be-yond will see a recovery that surpasses levels of the past decade.

Looking back on this year from a Lifting Matters perspective, the readership of the newsletter has grown in popularity and I believe is fulfilling a need in highlighting the real causes of incidents and accidents in the workplace.

A big thank you to those that have contributed to this months issue. There‟s a balanced mix of initia-tives, alerts and incidents. Something for all of you.

There is a very good instruction on „Working in a Safety Harness‟ (on page 08) with guidance on the correct use and care of safety harnesses. Harnesses save lives (as shown on page 03) with the potential of being called into action, (see „photo of the month‟ on page 05).

We always need to be on the lookout for dodgy shackles that are being peddled ‟out there‟ (page 07). In this case it is only the ‘capitals’ stamped on the shackles that give them away. Authorized distributors and manufacturers should be the rule and lets face it, you get what you pay for.

„Time to clear the air‟ is an alert produced by the HSE in the UK on the safe use of cut-off saws or disc cutters (page 06). Exposure to stone dust can have very serious consequences to the health of those workers that use them.

The „Loss of Crane Hook‟ alert on (page 11), was as a result of the manual override being used and the operator failing to adhere to the cranes‟ alarm systems. Operators do not always realise the financial cost and damage to the company reputation that is incurred when such incidents take place.

Your opinion and any queries and wishes you may have are extremely important to us! Let us know what's on your mind. Please send your contributions to [email protected] or contact us by phone on +61 7 3907 5800.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous new year. (RDP)

IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial 02 Harness saves life 03 TRAM height safety system 03 Heavy lift foundation failure 04 Tower crane fatal fall 04 Crane tips in Basel 05 Photo of the month 05 Working in a safety harness 06 Time to clear the air 08 Counterfeit Crosby shackles 09 San Diego Special 10 Condolences 10 Harbour crane collapse 10 Confused by dating terms 10 Loss of crane hook by mobile crane 11 Fatality costs firm $150 000 12 HSE guidance for festive season 12

ON THE COVER

A Unive rsa l Cranes DEMAG AC-80 lifting 28m long roofing iron

sections to a 45° pitch for Intebuild at Grain Corp, Port of Brisbane, QLD.

The fly and nee-dle were used so that the two lines could be well spread. Two rigging sheeves were utilized which enabled the operator to rotate the roof iron sections to the appropriate roof angle.

Four attachment points, which were tied back to the ends of the sheets, were used to pre-vent any sliding of the roofing iron.


Loss of Crane Hook from mobile crane 6th November 2009

Incident

Grove GMK3055 All Terrain crane

Crane was setting up for the day’s work

Hook block has contacted the boom head sheaves causing the hoist

wire to part

Hook fell approx 18m

Hook block – 250 kg

No persons directly underneath – no injury

Immediate Actions

Operator taken away from scene for interview

Scene secured and photographed

HSE contacted under RIDDOR reporting guidelines

Incident investigation team mobilised Incident Findings

As boom telescopes, hoist rope path length increases (hook becomes close to boom tip)

Hook block activates anti-two block, stopping the crane

Audible alarm sounds but the operator chooses to continue without identifying its cause (CF2)

Operator turns safety system override key to continue (CF1)

Hook block falls into an open, unguarded area where personnel could have been (CF3)

History of a computer problem relating to the setting

Root Cause Analysis CF1 – Crane Operator overrode the Crane’s Safety Systems

Use of equipment with known effect

Incorrect behaviour not confronted

Lack of SPP for the task

CF2 –Crane Operator didn’t identify the cause of the alarm and contin-

ued to telescope

Violation (by individual)

Use of equipment with known effect

CF3 – Possibility for personnel to be under the falling hook up operation

Lack of SPP for the task

Actions to Prevent Recurrence

Check all crane check logs to ensure that there are no safety critical faults or those requiring regular use of

overrides

Procedure to be developed to have crane logs countersigned by formally assigned responsible person

Develop a SSoW for when it is acceptable to override crane safety systems

Time out for safety session with operators to discuss incident and potential consequences

Develop Risk Assessment to cover setting up mobile cranes

Implement system to communicate SLP RA/MS to hired in crane operators

Alert submitted by [email protected]


Confused by Dating Terms Two elderly gentlemen were talking over a cup of coffee. "I guess you're never too old," the first one boasted. "Why just yesterday a pretty college girl said she'd be interested in dating me. But to be perfectly honest, I don't quite understand it." "Well," said his friend, "you have to remember that nowadays women are more aggressive. They don't mind being the one to ask." "No, I don't think it's that." "Well, maybe you remind her of her father." "No, it's not that either. It's just that she also mentioned something about carbon 14."

San Diego special

November 26, 2009

Spotted in California a team of men with crane, plat-

form ladders and make-do working methods on a

large billboard in San Diego…Death Wish?

One man is w o r k i n g from a self p r o p e l l e d boom lift, guiding the load in or out of the billboard.

The boom is levelled up on small rough stacks of wood. However another man is casually sitting astride the top of the board while another is hanging on the side and a third seems to be doing something on the top of a ladder.

Meanwhile others or bystanders are directly below.

How many safety defects can you spot?

Harbour crane collapse 18 November 2009

A 200 tonne mobile harbour crane collapsed at a boat yard owned by Elevated Boats LLC in Houma Louisiana, killing one person.

Local reports say that the crane’s superstructure broke free from its base while lifting a 30 ton load from a truck. The crane’s mast and jib then crashed through the yards fabrication building, landing on an employee.

He was taken to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries. The 60 year old crane operator, suf-fered serious injuries and remains in hospital.

The boom lift levelled up with rough wood packing

Check out the number of people hanging off of this billboard

The crane went through the fabrication



CONDOLENCES The management and staff of Universal Cranes extend their deepest sympathies to the management, family and workmates of the John Holland employee that died on the 05th December 2009 following a workplace incident. He was involved in the construction of a high voltage transmission line using a high level elevated man platform West of Townsville in Queensland. More information will be available in future issues after investigations have been completed. RDP


TRAM (Total Restraint Access Module)

A family of fail-safe fall prevention safety sys-tem products. TRAM is a unique height safety system that is simple to use, provides the wearer with full mobility and yet completely prevents the user from falling to another level

While other height safety systems will arrest a free fall, they can expose the user to suspension trauma or the risk of hitting obstacles while falling. TRAM overcomes this safety issue while also reducing the likelihood and conse-quence of a fall on the same level.

There have been no fatalities and no injuries reported by organisations using TRAM. The system has prevented falls that would have otherwise resulted in serious injury or death.

The TRAM safety system is designed so that the user is firmly attached to the unit at all times and cannot fall. The safety system includes a mechanical component that slides along a rail fixed to the tanker and a specially designed restraint belt attached by two lanyards. The TRAM provides a handhold that moves with the operator (vertically and horizontally) and is also a moveable anchor point for the restraint belt.

TRAM is the world's best safety system for preventing falls from height when inspecting and servicing mobile cranes and other heavy equipment.

TRAM is currently being used in the mining industry to allow riggers safe access to mobile crane booms, to protect maintenance workers on gantry and bridge cranes and to provide safe access to equipment mounted on the cab roofs of mobile plant machinery.

In all of these applications, TRAM prevents operators falling from height and therefore avoids the risk of serious injury or a fatality.

In the photos shown on the right a TRAM system is fitted to the boom sections of a Universal Cranes Demag CC2800 600T crawler crane for use on the wind farms in South Australia.

Harness saves life

November 25, 2009

Two men were rescued in Atlanta, Georgia, after one end of a suspended platform they were using gave way. Dumping them from the platform.

The two men were caulking windows around 12 metres from the ground, on the construction of the 48 storey Duke Energy Center, one of them man-aged to scramble to safety on a ledge, while the other was left dangling in his safety harness.

A self propelled boom lift was brought in to rescue the men who are both reported to be unhurt by the sites main contractor, locally based Batson-Cook.

The incident is under investigation, and the com-pany will file an incident report with the Occupa-tional Health and Safety Administration, first indi-cations suggest that a brake on one of the winch motors failed.

One of the men is rescued

For more information www.Tramaustralia.com.au


Extended Arm, Rotating

Arm TRAM.

Demag CC2800 – Approx 60 Metres of 2724 boom sections


HEAVY LIFT CRANE FOUNDATION FAILURE

Sunday 8th November 2009

Accident Description

A heavy lift crawler crane had a foundation failure with subsequent over-turning while operating on a Construc-tion Yard in the U.A.E.

Lessons to be learned

The main lessons to be learned could be summarized as follows:

1. Always know the weight of the object before a lift is made.

2. Assess the Lift Plan - boom angle / radius / weight / size of crane required / number of cranes required - built-in safety margin.

3. Select the appropriate Lift Crane/s - size - type / mobile / crawler- confined space - type of foundation - swing area - walk with the load.

4. Verify that Foundation is firm and capable of supporting the load being generated by the Planned Lift – requirement for soil compaction test - need of crane mats / plates to be assessed.

5. First initial Lift made and held a half meter off the ground - thorough check of all foundation support, rigging, lift radius / plan, crane stability / track-outrigger movement.

www.big5pmv.com/buildsafe/20091108-369-BSUSafety Alert-HEAVY LIFT CRANE FOUNDATION FAILURE

Tower Crane Fatal fall incident

Attention all Project Managers, Engineers

and Supervisors!

This Safety Alert relates to a recent incident outside of Australia where a crane operator fell

to his death while climbing the turntable ladder to the cabin of a tower crane.

The lifeline was terminated at the top mast and the worker had removed his safety harness when

climbing from the turntable to the cabin. While he was ascending the turntable ladder, he slipped and fell onto the mast platform 6m below.

From the information provided, it appears clear that the fall protection equipment was removed prematurely, leaving the operator unprotected. Additionally there may be opportunity to improve the fall arrest system as installed.

Safety Alert supplied by Frank Horky, Safety Manager of LBBJV, Brisbane, QLD

Figure 1: Height of worker’s fall

Fig 2. The turntable ladder to the cabin


Date: 11/11/2009

Scope

All EAF locations

Purpose

To raise awareness of potential counterfeit Crosby shackles and the consequence of their use.

Description

Counterfeit Crosby Shackles have been found at locations in Europe. These shackles are NOT up to required standards and it is mandatory that they be immediately removed from service. The counter-feit shackles can fail at as low as just 40% of their stated rating, causing a potentially catastrophic outcome. The most obvious difference is that the counterfeit shackle has the word “CROSBY” all in capital (Upper Case) lettering. The genuine shackle only has the “C” of “Crosby” capitalized.

See description below, which shows the key differences between a genuine shackle and a counter-feit one.

The points to look for in deciding whether you have a Crosby Shackle or a copy are:

· On the face, (a) the Crosby Name should be embossed as per the Crosby Logo, (b) The CE mark should appear along with (c) markings of the 45 degree angles

· On the rear of the shackle should appear 2 different groupings of IDs (3 for Belgium manufacture) providing full traceability of the shackle.

· The pin should also be stamped (d) on the head with a traceable ID number.

Responsibility for Action

· All QHSE Staff to coordinate and document a complete inspection of shackles in their locations and destroy any suspected counterfeit shackles. Liaise with your Lifting Equipment Specialists.

· Add the requirement to sample a selection of shackles to your Yard Planned General Inspection checklists to ensure on-going vigilance.

Article submitted by [email protected]

RWE npower Safety Information Notice


TIME TO CLEAR THE AIR!

Protect your lungs when using cut-off saws

If you are working in highway paving construction or

maintenance work, it is highly likely that you use a

cut-off saw (also known as a disc cutter, a con-saw or

a ‘whizzer’). Cutting kerbs, paving or blocks can

produce enormous amounts of dust (stone dust). The

stone dust will contain some very fine dust called

respirable crystalline silica (RCS). Exposure to RCS

dust can cause serious health problems and may even-

tually kill you.

This alert has been produced to explain how stone

dust exposure can affect your health and what you can

do to control the risks.

Health effects

Stones, rocks, sands and clays may contain large

amounts of crystalline silica. They are used to make

kerbs, flags, bricks, tiles and concrete. Even plastic

kerbs can contain a silica-based filler. Cutting these

materials produces very fine RCS particles in the

airborne stone dust. These particles are small and you

can’t always see dust given out by cutting. If you

breathe in too much RCS you could develop the fol-

lowing lung diseases.

Silicosis Silicosis makes breathing more difficult and increases

the risk of lung infections. It usually follows many

years of exposure. But exceptionally high exposures

over a few months or years can cause these symptoms.

Lung cancer

Heavy and prolonged exposure to RCS can cause lung

cancer.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) COPD is a group of lung diseases like bronchitis and

emphysema that may also be caused by RCS, result-

ing in severe breathlessness and prolonged coughing.

The disease is slow to develop and rarely seen in

people under 40. It can be very disabling and is a

leading cause of death.

Be aware!

You can’t always see dust from cutting.

Dust could harm workmates and other people

standing near you.

Managing or reducing the risk

Damp down the dust

Water suppression is your first line of defence. All

modern cut-off saws have an attachment for a water

hose. The water can be supplied from a mains feed

(the best option) or a pressurised water bottle. You

need a minimum flow rate of 0.5 litres per minute to

damp down dust effectively.

Wear a suitable dust mask

Even with water suppression you will need to wear a

suitable dust mask (respirator). Nuisance-grade dust

masks do not protect your lungs. Use one with an

assigned protection factor of at least 10, even when

your water suppression equipment is working effec-

tively. Use either FFP3 filtering face pieces or orina-

sal respirators with P3 filters.

Maintain equipment

Check your machinery and safety equipment

regularly.

Make sure the water jets are working properly.

Maintaining an adequate water flow by cleaning

the water jets is essential and should be done at

least every time the blades are changed.

Replace worn cutting discs to reduce the cutting

time.

Maintain hoses and bottles.

Inspect and maintain masks.

Other risks

Make sure you deal with other risks, eg:

noise;

flying debris;

water spray;

hand-arm vibration;

manual handling.

Consider the safety of yourself and others when you

operate a cut-off saw. Use suitable personal protective

equipment, such as hard hats, safety glasses and ear

defenders. Make sure these items are worn correctly

and are suitable for use together.

Remember!

• Always damp down dust.

• Wear a suitable dust mask.

Article from the HSE and Highways Agency in the UK sent by Chris Gunn from K Home International Ltd


Crane tips in Basel

November 26, 2009

An All Terrain crane went over in Basel, Switzer-

land, while erecting a tower crane, injuring one

person.

The accident occurred on the site of a children's

hospital where the six axle crane, a Grove GMK,

was erecting or dismantling a large tower crane.

The crane appears to have lost control of the tower

crane jib causing the crane to tip. The boom struck

the top edge of a building causing the it to buckle.

Meanwhile the short heavy duty jib also buckled

over the top of the building sending an object, possibly a hook smashing into an apartment window,

injuring a woman standing inside.

The operator escaped without injuries. The building was evacuated for inspection. The cause of the

accident is not yet known, although local reports are suggesting that wind which was gusting over

61kph, may have been a factor.

Vertikal Comment

The crane hire company has a first class safety record over

a long period, to the point where it is possible that this is its

first accident in what must be almost 50 years in crane

rental.

Strong winds would certainly have had a major effect on such a long load, but the company would normally have been well aware of this and have taken it into consideration. The fact that the crane appears to be operating in a partial counterweight configuration may also have been a factor?

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Somewhere in Vancouver is a worker who is concerned that some passers-by may never have a chance to attend Cirque de Soleil, much less a regular old circus, so he offers an impromptu side-show/preview for them to enjoy as they drive past.

“The sidewalk was closed, the telehan-dler was running, the harness was con-nected, everything was going fine until the guy switched off his brain!”

http://safetycentre.navy.mil/PHOTO/archive_351-400/photo354.asp

www.vertikal.net/en/news/story/9147 The jib buckled and sent something - a hook block?- crashing into the building

The upturned crane


SAFETY INSTRUCTION

Working in a Safety Harness

1. Purpose and scope

This safety instruction provides guidance and instruction on the correct use and care of safety har-nesses and associated fall protection equipment and applies to all workplaces on the North South Bypass Tunnel Project. This instruction incorporates key requirements of the QLD WHS Regulation 2008 and AS/NZS 1891.1.

2. Training

All personnel who work at height and require the use of height related equipment must be trained in the correct use, inspection and care of such equipment; and Training provided must also include the safe recovery of persons suspended in a safety harness.

3. Inspection

The same colour scheme for electrical and lifting gear inspections apply to mandatory harness

inspections in use on the project:

Personnel required to use height related equipment must inspect such equipment, each time

prior to use;

Items that are out of date or are missing the quarterly tag must be taken to the store and ex-

changed for gear that has the current inspection tag; and

Any of the following examples of damage during equipment inspection must be tagged out of

service immediately and returned to the store for re-certification or destruction:

RED : JanuaryRED : January--MarchMarch

GREEN : AprilGREEN : April--JuneJune

BLUE : JulyBLUE : July--SeptemberSeptember

YELLOW : October YELLOW : October --DecemberDecember

Markings with highlighter

(acetone based) markers

Markings with spray

paint or similar

Corroded safety hooks /

seized latches

Corroded fittings, excessive

build up of dirt

Illegible markings on

attached labels

Unacceptable / prohibited ad-hoc

repairs / modifications

Straps exposed to chemicals,

can effect webbing strength

Straps exposed to chemicals,

can effect webbing strength

Physical damage to webbing

and fittings


4. Use

Equipment must be used in accordance with manufacturers instructions;

Anchor points must be designed/inspected by an engineer/competent person before initial use;

If one person is using the system the anchor point must have a minimum breaking strength of

15kN (1.5t). This is equivalent to hanging a small family car on it;

If two people are using the system (e.g. temporary horizontal lifeline rated for 2 persons) your

anchor points must have a capacity of at least 21kN (2.1t);

DO NOT attach shock absorbers to scaffolding handrails etc, or wrap it back around itself

(commonly referred to as “back-latching”);

Depending on the fall distance and your body weight, the load imparted on the anchor point and

harness can be up to 1100kg. Shock absorbing lanyards/inertia reels and harnesses are de-signed to reduce this to a maximum force applied to the body of ~600kg. To help ensure this occurs it is important that all harness straps are fastened as tight as comfortably possible;

You must ensure there is sufficient clearance below you so that if you fall (refer illustration below)

you will not hit any other object, surface or the ground;

In the event of a fall, all equipment that is

involved must be tagged out of service immediately until inspected by a competent authority to determine serviceability;

Adjustable shock absorbing lanyards

(reduced in length for minimal slack) or inertia reel blocks are to be used whilst working in EWPs due to the possibility of limited ground clearances;

The JSA / Prestart Card for your work at

height must include the rescue method for a worker who has fallen, without placing the personnel retrieving the worker at risk; and

No person is permitted to work at height

whilst alone.

5. Care

Ensure all equipment is stored correctly and not

left on the ground or on the floor of EWP baskets;

All textile products should be kept clean – warm

soapy water is recommended for cleaning – DO NOT use harsh cleaning products or chemicals;

All Inertia Reel devices must be returned to the

manufacturer annually for inspection, service and tagging; and

All textile products (Harnesses, Lanyards etc) have

a ten year life from the date of manufacture and do not need to be returned to the manufacturer for in-spection.

6. Relief straps

At least one relief strap device (as shown left & right), must be fitted to all harnesses in use to reduce the risk of suspension trauma.

Illustration of clearance required below worker when equipment has deployed

Adjustable Lanyard

Inertia Reel with Recovery

Twin Tail Lanyard

Relief strap Relief strap deployed

Article supplied by Frank Horky Safety Manager LBBJV Brisbane , QLD

Lifting Matters Issue 9 December 2009

Business

Transcript of Lifting Matters Issue 9 December 2009