[Hallb-engineering] Fwd: Lesson Learned "Craft Worker Sustains Laceration while Using a Hand-Held Grinder - Los Alamos National Laboratory"

[Douglas Tilles]

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From: "mbailey" <mbailey at jlab.org>
To: "mbailey" <mbailey at jlab.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 2, 2016 5:00:04 PM
Subject: Lesson Learned "Craft Worker Sustains Laceration while Using a Hand-Held Grinder - Los Alamos National Laboratory"

Jefferson Lab Lessons Learned : Print Lesson 
	Craft Worker Sustains Laceration while Using a Hand-Held Grinder - Los Alamos National Laboratory 
	
Statement of Lessons Learned 
Ensure that hand-held tools have expended all their residual energy before setting them down. 
Discussion of Activities 
During a roofing project at Los Alamos National Laboratory Technical Area-3, Building 422, involving the use of a hand-held grinder; a roofer, who was wearing all the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (including knee pads), sustained a laceration slightly above his right knee.  According to the roofer, he had finished cutting off a rivet that had been securing some metal fascia.  He released the grinder�s power switch and was setting it down when he cut through his Tyvek coveralls and jeans.  The roofer told his foreman of the incident and was asked if he wanted to go Occupational Medicine for evaluation. The roofer indicated that he was OK and continued to work the rest of the day. 
Analysis 
The roofer did not notice the laceration until he went home and was removing his jeans.  Since the injury was in the approximate location and was the size of the cut material it was evident that the injury was the result of the grinder�s residual motion. 
Recommended Actions 
Below are the consequences of the above event.  They are provided for information and discussion purposes only.

 

The roofer immediately called his foreman and was taken for to the hospital where five sutures were applied to close the 1-inch long laceration.  The medical provider said the laceration did not bleed due to the fact that it was cauterized immediately by the extreme heat of the grinding wheel. 
JLab Preventive Measures 
(Jefferson Lab�s Subject Matter Expert has provided the following recommendations.)

With any compressed air power tool (once work with the tool is complete) 

1.	Turn off the power source.
2.	With tool in hand, slowly squeeze the trigger to release any remaining air pressure from the tool.
3.	Disconnect the air hose from the tool.  And, if applicable, disconnect air hose from the power source.
4.	Properly store the air hose and tool.

Always use tools in accordance with Jefferson Lab's and manufacturer's requirements.

See EH&S Manual Chapter 6120 Portable Hand Tool Safety and its appendices. 
Comments 
3/2/2016 4:10:45 PM by Bailey, Mary Jo 
This lesson was submitted to those with SAF502: FORKLIFT OPERATOR
GEN020: SOTR QUALIFICATION Training 
	
Summary 	Lesson ID: 	934 
	Status: 	OK 
	Doc ID: 	2016-JLAB-934 
	Priority: 	Info 
	Safety Related: 	YES 
	Originator: 	Bailey, Mary Jo 
	Issued: 	3/2/2016 4:07:06 PM 
	Approved By: 	Bailey, Mary Jo 
	Approved On: 	3/2/2016 4:10:45 PM 
	Source: 	DOECRD 
	Location: 	LANL 
	Cost Savings: 	
	Contact: 	Russell Stone, 505-606-0071 
	Queued Emails: 	0 
	Sent Emails: 	0 
	Viewings: 	1 times Attachments 

    * DOE - Portable Hand Tools.pdf 
    * ES&H Manual Chapter 6120 Portable Hand Tool Safety 

Hazard Issues 

    * Portable Hand Tools 
    * Sharp Edges 
Skills 

    * SAF502: FORKLIFT OPERATOR 
    * GEN020: SOTR QUALIFICATION 
Distribution/Notification 

    * *Division Safety Officers (DSOs) 
    * *Safety Wardens 
    * *DOE Notification 
    * *ESH&Q Liaisons 




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