Maintenance injuries featured strongly in our 2017 data… and the trend appears to be continuing!
INC_634 22/11/17 MTI Using a sledgehammer on the skidder track, a piece of steel ricocheted off and into the worker's forearm.
INC_636 20/12/17 MTI While removing the belly plate from under the machine, the plate, which was twisted, sprung down, cutting the operator’s left hand (stitches required).
INC_674 19/01/18 MTI A breaker-out was splicing an eye onto the main rope when the sharp end of a rope strand caught and cut his forearm (stitches required).
Maintenance considerations…
Wear the correct PPE: Maintenance injuries often occur because the correct PPE is not worn. Several sets of gloves may be required, especially when working with oils and grease.
Never complete maintenance alone: Kiwi’s will often attempt to complete a job alone rather than ask for help. However, a second person can be used to help with tricky situations e.g. work in confined spaces. This person can also run additional safety checks, ensuring machinery is properly isolated and de-energised.
Tools: Use the correct tools for the job and don’t leave tools lying around where they can fall and injure other workers.
Clean surfaces before working on them – especially remove oil.
Use a maintenance schedule – regular maintenance² and replacement schedules may prevent break-downs and reduce risk.
² For more information and ‘Preventative Maintenance Tips for Forestry Machines’ please click of this hyperlink: https://www.cat.com/en_US/articles/support/forestry/6-preventative-maintenance-tips-for-forestry-machines.html
View this article in Bulletin 111