Hydraulic injection injury to hand and arm whilst using a hand held grease gun
ACTIVITY:
MAINTENANCE & HOUSEKEEPING
DATE ISSUED:
15/02/2014 08:00:57
TITLE
Hydraulic injection injury to hand and arm whilst using a hand held grease gun
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
WHAT HAPPENED
Liebherr Safety Alert
An operator was attempting to remove a hand grease gun from a grease nipple after pumping several times and finding it hard. Whilst gripping the hose and manoeuvring it, the hose ruptured and injected grease into his little finger.
What happened
The operator was using a hand held grease gun to lubricate various grease points on earth moving plant.
He only felt a sharp prick to his little finger and on inspection, he noticed a small hole. On squeezing his finger approximately one teaspoon of grease was ejected. He was not wearing gloves at the time.
Medical attention was sort resulting in a lengthy operation and removal of a vein in the forearm. This was replaced with an artificial vein.
At this time, the operation appears to have been successful. However, constant medical monitoring and surgery care is paramount to a successful rehabilitation.
ACCIDENT / INCIDENT IMAGES
Click image to enlarge
LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS TAKEN
• Inspect equipment prior to use to ensure it is in sound working order with no cuts or damage.
• Check and tighten fittings
• Wear suitable protective gloves when using any equipment with stored energy potential.
• Even relatively low pressure equipment has the potential to inflict hydraulic injection injury
• Grease gun hose was not a strengthened hydraulic pressure (woven/mesh) type but of a rubberised compound only.
LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS IMAGES
ACTIVITY:
MAINTENANCE & HOUSEKEEPING
DATE ISSUED:
15/02/2014 08:00:57
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