Driver Fall from Height - Serious Injury
What Happened:
Driver was opening his sliding roof with a roof pole. Driver was standing in the trailer facing forwards. When he was struggling to release the header bar and release cord, the driver slipped and fell backwards. He fell on to the rear of he trailer before landing on the ground.
Driver suffered 5 broken ribs and remained in hospital for 8 days.
Findings:
- Roof jammed on opening causing driver to slip.
- Trailer bed slippery in sub zero temperatures
- Procedure to follow when roof jammed was unclear or unknown to the driver
- Drivers roof pole was too short and could only be used be used from inside the trailer.
- No onsite facilities for accessing trailer beds (steps/platforms)
- Driver was wearing PPE
Recommendations:
- All hauliers to reiew their own procedures and ensure their drivers are competent in sliding roof operations.
- ALL P&O FERRYMASTERS SAFE WORKING PROCEDURES ARE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD AND PRINT FROM OUR WEBSITE www.poferrymasters.com/tatasteel/
- Review length or roof pole issued (longer poles allow roof operation from the ground).
- Hauliers to impliment a process for checking and lubricating roofs.
- Report any defects and never leave unsafe equipment.
- REGULAR EQUIPMENT CHECKS AND DEFECT REPORTING WILL REDUCE THE POTENTIAL FOR THESE TYPES OF ACCIDENTS!
