MB Petroelum third party fatality

1
Safety Alert
No. 16 Nov 98

Committed to Safety
Hazards of Portable Electrically Powered Tools
Background Recently an incident occurred when a
welder was cutting a 8 pipe test piece using a
grinder. The blade got caught. In the process,
the grinder kicked back towards the welder who
was unable to control the unit. As a result, the
welder was injured with deep lacerated wounds on
both his thighs.

• Causes of the incident
• A detailed investigation of the incident is
  presently in progress, but first indications
  reveal that
• the hand tool used did not have an automatic
  shut-off device. As a consequence the handheld
• grinder continued to operate after the welder
  did let go of the tool.
• Action to Prevent Recurrence and Learning Point
• As per HSE Standard Manual Chapter
  7, safety requirements for portable
  electrically-powered
• tools are as follows
• All portable electrically-powered tools shall
  be provided with an automatic shut-off device
  which renders it inoperative if the operator
  releases his hold, e.g. a non-sustaining trigger
  switch.
• Maintenance of electrically powered tools and
  associated protection devices shall be carried
  out at 6 monthly intervals and the equipment
  shall have inspection stickers.
• Where possible, protective guards shall be
  securely fitted and correctly adjusted.
• Tools found to be defective shall be labeled as
  such in the working language of the work force
  and English, removed from service and returned to
  the store for repair.