Incident alert

LOCATION:

READYMIX OR MORTAR PLANT

ACTIVITY:

MAINTENANCE & HOUSEKEEPING

SUB ACTIVITY:

N/A

ALERT STATUS:

Normal

DATE ISSUED:

08/01/2013

INCIDENT No:

00350

TITLE

High Pressure Water Hose

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

United Kingdom

ACCIDENT / INCIDENT DETAILS

A Franchisee driver was about to hose down his Truckmixer drum. He decided to use the sites’ high pressure hose, that is normally used for hosing down the yard, instead of the one normally used for hosing down Truckmixers.

He loosely held the end of the hose as he opened the hose’s water valve.
Unexpectedly, the pump was already running which resulted in a high-pressure jet of water immediately exiting the hose causing it to flick upwards.

The jet of water knocked his safety glasses off and water also entered his right eye causing a serious injury. He attended hospital where it was confirmed that the driver had a bleed to his retina.

Fortunately, after spending 48 hours in hospital for observation and treatment, it is expected the driver will make a full recovery.

ACCIDENT / INCIDENT IMAGES

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Start/Stop

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Existing

LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS TAKEN

Responsible managers should check that:-
• You have a risk assessment and SWP for the use of high pressure hoses;
• Clear instructions are displayed on how to safely start / stop high pressure water pumps;
• There is some means of indicating that high pressure pumps are running;
• Only trained, authorised persons are permitted to use high pressure water equipment;
• All Truckmixer drivers have been inducted at your site(s);
• Consider the design of the nozzle, could you install a trigger operated one as shown
above?

LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS IMAGES

Click image to enlarge