SAFER PRODUCTION WINNER
Cromwell Saws is a producer of natural stone paving products. Raw blocks are transferred into the factory direct from the quarry, the blocks can weigh anything from 5 to 18 tonnes each. They are brought into the factory via the loading bay on a shovel, transferred by cranes to the machines to be cut into flat slabs ready to be cut for paving products. Due to the nature of natural stone, many of the blocks will have cracks and defects that can cause them to split, or pieces to fall off before or after being cut. The defects can be difficult to see exposing operators to the risk of being hit by a falling stone during this operation.
In the last 2 years there have been 4 accident/incidents in this area
- An operator hit on the arm from loose piece of stone falling from a cut block inside the machine.
- An operator struck on the head by a loose piece of stone falling from a cut block inside the machine.
- An operator struck on the nose with loose piece of stone falling from a cut block inside the machine.
- An operator narrowly missed being hit on the head by a falling piece of stone.
It was recognised that it was necessary to make improvements to the process to eliminate or mitigate the risks of an operator being hit by falling stone. Being hit by a falling or moving object is one of ‘The Fatal 6’.
Please watch the video to see what was done.