Inside this issue...

- Under other circumstances he would’ve lost his hand...
- Was this human error?

Dear Reader,

I know this is the second week in a row, but I feel I have to mention a piece I read on IOL.co.za last Thursday. Paramedics had to rescue a worker from Delta Ready Mix Company after his hand got stuck in a cement mix pipe!

Under other circumstances he would’ve lost his hand...

According to Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha, the man’s hand got stuck in a hole in the side of a pipe through which cement mix passes. He expressed his surprise that the employee got out of it with only bad lacerations and his hand intact, as this is usually an injury which results in amputation

Ekurhuleni Emergency Management Services spokesperson Rogers Mamaila had this to report:
“For rescue workers to free him without causing further damages to his hand, they had to rotate the mechanism inside manually and very slowly. It was a time-consuming and very delicate rescue operation which could not be rushed. “

Was this human error? 
From the article, it appears the fault was caused by human error and not from a missing guard, or similar protection. Now, subscribers to our Health and Safety Advisor Loose Leaf Service will see the following in their next update, and deal with any future situations like Delta Ready Mix Company’s...

Prevent and minimise incidents in two ways

1. You will also prevent accidents if you make sure employees understand the importance of acting in a safe and healthy manner, by offering training and awareness programmes.

2. Supervisors are responsible for enforcing health and safety rules and ensuring that employees follow laid-down safe work procedures. They must also receive training to understand the hazards and have the necessary authority to take precautionary measures (Section 8, OHSA). Therefore, make sure your supervisors are well-trained and well-informed.

These tips form part of the chapter I07: Incidents: Preventing them in the workplace. Also included in the chapter is:

• 7 examples of accidents
• 10 examples of unsafe or unhealthy acts
• 2 aspects of unsafe or unhealthy conditions
• Checklist: What to look for to identify unsafe/unhealthy conditions

Keep an eye out for the chapter in your forthcoming update, which will land in your post box later this month. If you aren’t signed up as a subscriber, click here.

In the name of safety,

Christel Fouché
 

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More Health & Safety topics and recent updates...

Take a look at some of the most popular past articles:

    * 6 emergency lighting prescriptions 
    * The 5 most costly labour mistakes made by employers... and how to avoid them 
    * 10 tips to conduct a perfect workplace inspection 
    * Avoid Costly Inspections with Your Own Personal 24/7 Health and Safety Advisor

Which have been your favourites? Email me and let me know which articles are your favourites. nadia@fsp.co.za

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