INCIDENT

An exploration driller's assistant was struck on the head by a large diameter compressed air hose which blew off its fitting on a cyclone/sampler. He received serious head injuries which proved fatal. The air hose was held by a hose clamp on the fitting with no restraining chain or sling to prevent the hose from thrashing around.

CAUSE

The primary cause of this accident was the failure to secure the hose and hose clamp to the cyclone/sampler structure by means of sling and chain respectively.

COMMENTS AND PREVENTATIVE ACTION

The destructive potential of "unrestrained" compressed air hoses should be highlighted to all personnel and advice to that effect included in induction and safety training programmes at each site.

A regular survey should be carried out of all compressed air powered equipment to assess the integrity of the couplings, clamps and hoses and immediate corrective action taken where necessary.

Restraining devices such as chains, slings, proprietary special couplings and whip-checks should be installed on all large diameter or high pressure compressed air hoses to prevent them thrashing about in the event of a hose or coupling failure.

Consideration should be given to the installation of valves, in compressed air lines, which will shut off the air supply in the event of a sudden hose or coupling failure where compressed air hoses of greater than 25 mm diameter are in use.





J M Torlach
STATE MINING ENGINEER
29 September 1989

SAFETY AWARENESS SAVES LIVES