Leg injury when struck by rebounding hammer
- Safety Flash
- Published on 6 May 2021
- Generated on 18 November 2024
- IMCA SF 13/21
- 2 minute read
A crew member was struck on the right lower leg (the shin) by a rebounding hammer. The incident occurred when he was using the hammer to remove a stainless steel securing pin on the brake band drum of a tugger winch.
The crew member was using the hammer and other equipment to remove a stainless steel securing pin, which was positioned at knee height on the brake band drum.
The pin was moving both ways a little, but required more lubrication.
Spray lubricant was applied and was working through the pin mounts.
The crew member was striking the pin out using the hammer; one blow missed the pin, rebounded back and struck his right lower leg, causing a small cut and bruising above the ankle.
What went right?
- A Toolbox Talk and Operational Risk assessments had taken place before starting work.
- All correct PPE was being worn at the time of the incident occurring.
What went wrong?
- He was in the line of fire – his leg was so positioned as to be hit when the hammer rebounded.
- The arc / swing of the hammer onto the pin required precision to avoid striking to the side, which resulted in uncontrolled rebound of the hammer in an undesired direction.
What were the causes?
- Immediate causes
- He hit the pin in such as way as to cause the hammer to rebound in an uncontrolled direction.
- His leg was in the way.
- Root causes
- Inadequate continuous risk assessment
- The crew member did not identify the potential hammer miss-hit and rebound direction of the hammer during the activity.
- The risk assessment did not identify the required body position to ensure it was not in the line of fire.
- Inadequate continuous risk assessment
- STOP Work Authority
- No “Stop Work” and review the activity was undertaken during the tasks to evaluate the controls being implemented and the possible requirement to improve (by the individual or others).
Actions
- Deeper and more thorough consideration of what “Line of Fire” can mean – are you in your own line of fire?
- Check with your colleagues before starting – is this safe, could I do this in a better way?
- STOP the job if you think it is unsafe, and put the right controls in place to make sure no-one is harmed.
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