VIDEO - This alert includes a video of the individuals directly involved with the incident. It highlights the importance of having and wearing the right PPE
- A moving case study to share with others across all product sectors
A bulk cement driver was making a delivery of cement to a customer's site. He was accompanied by an employee on the customer's site. During the discharge into a silo, the alarm went off indicating the silo was full, the driver was instructed to complete the delivery into an adjacent silo with a fill point in the same location as the existing silo.
When disconnecting the delivery hose both the driver and the site employee were covered in cement because the system was still under pressure. The driver had removed his protective goggles to read the pressure gauge and not replaced them, as a consequence of this, the cement went into his eyes. He was treated on-site by first aiders who attempted to wash the cement from his eyes and then immediately sent to hospital. The driver was in considerable pain and had to undergo very intensive treatment over several months to save his eyes, this included daily hospital treatments, operations and almost constant treatment whilst at home.
Investigation established the following
- The correct procedures had not been followed in the process of disconnecting the delivery pipe
- The driver had PPE that did not meet his requirements due to his need to wear glasses
- The driver had got into the habit of removing his goggles to read the pressure gauges
Please WATCH THE VIDEO that provides more details about the accident, the moving account of the devastating impact the incident had on the driver and his family. Their accounts bring home the importance of the key safety messages associated with having the right PPE, wearing it correctly and following procedures.