Construction Safety Association of Ontario
Hazard Summary: A worker was critically injured while working inside a crusher chamber. The unit was a Cedarapids Model #3645, which is a double-impeller impact breaker powered by a diesel engine. Using a jackhammer powered by a portable generator/welder set, the worker was removing material packed between the striker bars. The diesel engine was off and the clutch between the engine and the crusher was disengaged. When the worker was nearly finished, the crusher operator told him he was about to start the diesel engine in order to warm it up and prepare for further tasks. The worker, believing he was protected by the disengaged clutch, remained inside the chamber. The operator cranked the diesel, using battery power. When the engine cranked slowly and did not start, the operator thought this was caused by a weak or discharged battery, until he heard his coworker screaming for help. The worker's left leg was trapped between the impeller hammer and a striker bar. He was released and taken to hospital, where his foot was amputated above the ankle. The investigation revealed that the clutch was partially engaged. This caused the crusher impeller to turn and probably also caused the slow cranking of the engine and its failure to start. Locations and Sectors: Crushing operations in mining, construction and industrial plants. Recommendations:
Please photocopy Ministry of Labour Alerts, distribute them widely and post them where people will see them. Produced by the Mining Health and Safety Program, Ministry of Labour Alert 7/0495 ISSN 1195-5228 This document appears in the eLCOSH website with the permission of the author and/or copyright holder and may not be reproduced without their consent. eLCOSH is an information clearinghouse. eLCOSH and its sponsors are not responsible for the accuracy of information provided on this web site, nor for its use or misuse. Copyright information: © Queen's Printer for Ontario, 1999 This information
is provided as a public service by the Government of Ontario. Every reasonable
effort has been made to ensure the currency and accuracy of the information
presented at the site, but readers should verify information before acting
on it.
|
eLCOSH
| CDC | NIOSH
| Site Map | Search
| Links | Help
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy