Truck Mixer Driver Loses Finger
ACTIVITY:
TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS / DELIVERY
SUB ACTIVITY:
PRODUCT DELIVERY
TITLE
Truck Mixer Driver Loses Finger
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
WHAT HAPPENED
While making a delivery on a customer’s site a truckmixer driver became aware of a rumbling noise coming from the nearside drum support roller. Believing that the roller had failed, he climbed the ladder at the rear of the vehicle to make a closer inspection. As he leant over to look at the roller, the drum locking lug came around with the drum which, acting as a guillotine, trapped and severed his left index finger. The severed finger came away inside the left finger of his glove, while the rest of the glove stayed on his hand. He was taken to hospital and after examination and x-ray was advised that the finger could not be reattached. Not only was the driver in some considerable pain in the days afterwards, being self employed he was unable to work for some time.
ACCIDENT / INCIDENT IMAGES
Click image to enlarge
LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS TAKEN
The driver was working on moving machinery i.e. he kept the drum rotating rather than isolating it. Working in the vicinity of the rotating drum placed him in an area of danger and resulted in him being struck by the drum locking lug.
- Before working on or near moving equipment do we always follow Lock Off & Isolation Procedures.
- Do drivers appreciate the need to isolate their vehicles whenever they undertake any maintenance work?
- The driver used the vertical ladder as a working platform to view the rumbling roller rather than viewing it from ground level.
- Do drivers understand the ladder on a truckmixer is for access only and should never be used as a working platform?
Drivers can become desensitised / complacent to the risks associated with a rotating mixer drum because they are in this environment every working day.
- Do drivers follow our Stop & Think philosophy? Are people looking out for themselves and each other?
- Do we always challenge any unsafe acts or conditions whenever we see them?
Drum locking lugs on this design of vehicle are located in such a position where they create a guillotine action as the drum rotates.
- Are there any truckmixers with similar nip / pinch / shearing points operating from your site?
- Do vehicle checks monitor if any nip hazards are being generated with the drum isolation lug?
- Have any truckmixer modifications been made which create further shearing hazards?
The style of gloves used by the driver, PVC knit wrist (a cloth glove with a PVC coating), may not have been the most appropriate for use on this occasion as they are loose fitting with a high grip surface.
- Are drivers wearing the correct personal protective equipment for the work they are required to do?
Mechanical problems with the concrete plant loading chute resulted in concrete waste being washed onto the rear of the mixer drum and roller mechanism.
- Are maintenance and defect reporting systems in place to ensure all equipment is working correctly and does not introduce additional hazards into the workplace and associated work equipment?
- Are repairs carried out in a timely manner to ensure they don’t lead to additional hazards and risks?
LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS IMAGES
ACTIVITY:
TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS / DELIVERY
SUB ACTIVITY:
PRODUCT DELIVERY
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