Worker electrocuted in fatal accident received little training

An ongoing inquest has heard that a 16-year-old insulation worker, who was electrocuted in late 2009, had received little training and was not wearing safety gear at the time of the accident.

The workplace accident

The teenager was working to install insulation as part of the Government’s ‘pink batts’ plan, when the metal pole he was using came into contact with a screw that had pierced an electric cable. The court heard that:
• He had only been working for the company for three weeks before the accident.
• He had received minimal training and was not aware of the dangers involved in the insulation work.
• He was not wearing any safety gear when he died. He was wearing a t-shirt, shorts and sandals.

The consequences for the company

The company faced court in 2010, and was fined $110,000 for an electrical safety breach, $25,000 for workplace health and safety breaches and paid legal fees of $14,500. In addition, the ongoing inquest is investigating the deaths of this young worker and two others who were involved in the home insulation scheme.

Electrical Safety

Each year, around 1000 electrical accidents at work are reported and about 25 people die of their injuries. Research shows that most electrical accidents can be predicted and prevented if comprehensive safety procedures are followed. This includes training, safe work protocols and supervision.

Personal Protective Equipment

Research suggests that failure to wear PPE, use PPE properly and use compatible PPE results in workplace accidents and deaths that cost businesses and the community millions each year. PPE users require training on the correct use and maintenance of PPE including:
• How to fit, wear and remove PPE correctly
• How to inspect and, if necessary, test equipment before using it
• How to recognise the appropriate PPE

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Source: http://www.safetowork.com.au/news/inquest-told-electrocuted-insulation-work-received

Manufacturer cited for failing to protect workers from exposure to hazardous materials

OSHA has cited a manufacturer with 6 serious safety violations for failing to protect workers from exposure to hazardous materials and provide adequate emergency response plans and training at the company's manufacturing plant. Proposed fines total $41,200.

"Manufacturers need to demonstrate a commitment to properly training and protecting workers from exposure to hazards," said Tom Bielema, OSHA's area director in Peoria.

3 of the violations involve failing to ensure workers used protective equipment when exposed to hazards capable of causing injury and impairment. These included a lack of hand, eye and face protection for workers exposed to liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids.

The remaining violations involve failing to include evacuation routes and procedures in the company's emergency response and contingency plan and to ensure workers engaged in emergency response involving inhalation hazards were provided with breathing apparatus for respiratory protection and trained on adequate emergency response.

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Source: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=23538

Instrument company fined over worker's exposure to hazardous chemicals

An instrument company and a health and safety consultant have been fined for risking the health of employees from hazardous chemicals.

A 36-year-old paint sprayer suffered irritation to his eyes, breathing difficulties, headaches and lost the ability to concentrate after working with harmful substances.

His job was to prepare and paint small components for scientific instruments, which involved working with chemicals including trichloroethylene, a powerful de-greaser used to clean metal before it is painted, and paints containing isocyanates.

An investigation found that the company did not provide suitable equipment to adequately remove the hazardous fumes from the workplace, especially where items were left to dry. The company also failed to provide employees with the necessary health surveillance for workers using hazardous substances.

The company was fined £9,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £2,852 after pleading guilty.

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Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2013/rnn-e-00313.htm?eban=rss-

Aerospace company prosecuted after worker’s eyes burnt with caustic soda

An aerospace company has been fined for safety failings after a worker injured his eye whilst cleaning out a tank containing caustic soda.

The 39-year-old sustained a chemical burn to his eyelid and inside his tear duct after flicking sodium hydroxide crystals into his face. He required emergency treatment at hospital.

The employee was standing in a tank containing a solid crystalline material composed largely of sodium hydroxide. Whilst chipping away at the material, his protective mask misted up and as he took it off to clean the visor, some caustic crystals flicked onto his eye lid.

The worker was not only exposed to risks from working with a hazardous material, but could also have fallen into the storage tank. The company was fined £17,000 and ordered to pay £3,246 in costs.

Health and Safety Executive Inspector Vicky Fletcher commented: “The company failed to adequately assess the risks and failed to provide adequate control measures to ensure the job could be done safely.”

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Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2012/rnn-e-infliteengineering.htm?eban=rss-