Transcript Hammertek Near Miss

The Gravity of Gravity
Safety’s Number 1 Enemy
Gravity can be fun!
Falls are the #1 cause
of injuries in the home
and the workplace
isn’t any safer.
Watch your step!
Removable Handrail Risks
 In the mid-90’s, there was an accident in one of
our plants where there was a removable handrail
which had been removed and put back up with
bailing wire because the pin was missing. A man
leaned on the railing and went head first off the
platform. He is now paralyzed.
The design of the handrails was changed and
pins are tethered with chain to the stationary
post. OSHA now requires personnel to use a
harness and be tethered also to prevent
impacting the ground.
Falls just waiting to happen!
Gravity works on
everything. Falling
objects can be deadly.
Poland
Hammertek: Near Miss

On 3/23/05 at approx. 0340 the batchhouse
operator noticed material flowing from top of
silo’s looking at his monitor. He was in the
process of unloading purchased cullet into silo
#13. He shut down the transport process and
went to investigate. He found in the Rail Shed
the Hammertek Elbow from the top of silo #13
laying on the floor west of the unloading area.
The Driver that delivered the cullet was in his
truck looking in his mirror at the time and
saw the elbow hit the floor and bounce.
Hole in roof looking from underneath
Hole in roof looking from above on roof.
“Nature always sides with the hidden flaw!” Murphy’s Law #9
Impact in the concrete where it hit
Flange on top of #13 silo, to the left are other Hammertek elbows
The Remedy
Working against gravity brings its
own set of dangers.
Near miss…..
Speaking of working against gravity,
almost every glass plant has frogs.
Here’s how to avoid a backache
Cranes can’t always fight gravity.
….but we all have to fight stupidity!
Any Comments?
Recommended Practices
 “Up the Line” Labeling
 “Spot Check” Labels