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Hse alert no 73 serious hand injury from high presssure water machine
- 1. 1 HS&E-FRM-C03-10 Serious Hand Injuryfrom High Pressure Washer Machine An operative has received serious injuries to his hand, after coming into contact with pressured water from a portable high pressure water jetting unit situated on site. The operative had been tasked with tidying the compound area which had included the tidying away of the trailing rubber hose of a high pressure water jetter. Whilst doing this work, his hands had become excessively dirty and in order to clean up, he took it upon himself to clean his hands by use of the high pressure water jetter / spray nozzle. The operative was not competent, trained or authorised to use a pressure washer. The water jetter at this time was not powered / operational. However, the jetting unit had been in use earlier that morning and was still ‘charged’ with residual pressure. The operative pointed the nozzle of the water jetting unit against his left hand, expecting a low flow of water to be emitted. Unfortunately, as the unit had been used earlier and residual stored pressure existed, a jet of water was emitted at the operative’s hand (up to a pressure of 2200 psi). It is thought that the nozzle was held at ‘point-blank’ to the injured hand. Outcome As a result of this incident, the operative received serious lacerations to the lower fingers/ palm of his hand, from the forced/ pressured water ingress. The injured operative was hospitalised and has had to undergo a number of painful operations and he remains off work still. Preventative Measures • Pressure washers must only be used by suitably trained, competent and authorised persons. • Residual pressure must always be released from all washer units after use. • Pressure washers should only be used as per safe systems of work and for the purpose intended. • Manufactures’ safety information and recommendations must always be followed. • Welfare facilities are provided and should be used to wash / clean up after work activities. Following this incident and in conjunction with hire companies and manufacturers, further safety guidance on the safe use and operation of pressure washers is to be published and this will be issued and uploaded to the Groups HS&E Lee Bulman HS&E Advisor Galliford Try Plc C Co om mm mu un ni ic ca at ti io on n R Re eq qu ui ir re ed d: (double click on box to tick action to be taken) Toolbox Talk € Notice Board √ Supply Chain € Review of Site Activities √ Information only € A Ac ct ti io on ns s C Co om mp pl le et te ed d b by y: : … …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …. .. . D Da at te e … …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… … Health & Safety Alert No 73 Galliford Try Plc Group of Companies 1 st August 2013