Safety Alert - Motor Vehicle Accident

What happened?

 

Recently two Furmanite technicians were involved in a vehicle accident which resulted in a minor injury to one technician.

Two radiography technicians were traveling from a client facility back to their office in Louisville KY when the driver fell asleep at the wheel causing the vehicle to veer off of the road. The vehicle struck a small road sign causing the driver to wake and he attempted to steer the vehicle back onto the roadway causing the vehicle to roll over three times. Both the driver and passenger were transported to the nearest hospital as a precaution. The driver sustained minor injuries while the passenger sustained non-life threatening injuries to the head and back requiring treatment. The driver and passenger were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident.
What went wrong?

• While the driver had not worked an excessive number of hours (he had worked 6 hours the day before - 7am to 1pm and had 12 hours off - 1pm to 1am - before returning to work), he was not able to sleep during his off period due to a cold and returned to work without adequate rest.
• The driver was severely fatigued (despite having sufficient time off to rest) and failed recognize it.
• Passenger had dozed off during drive back to office. Despite becoming drowsy, the driver did

How do we Prevent from Happening Again?

 

• Conduct a Safety stand down and review this Safety Alert with all Furmanite employees worldwide.

• Review the attached Fatigue Awareness Training module with all employees.

 

 

 

Safety Alert - Finger Laceration

What happened?

 A Furmanite technician was using a retractable utility knife to open a box of leak sealing supplies. The employee sneezed causing a sudden movement of the utility knife resulting in a laceration to the left index finger requiring sutures. The employee was wearing leather gloves at the time of the injury.  

What went wrong?
 More appropriate PPE could have been used during this task that could have prevented the injury (cut resistant gloves manufactured with Kevlar®, Aramid® or other cut resistant material.)
 Employee did not recognize the potential new hazard of a sudden movement of the utility knife due to sneezing and did not stop work.
 Employee did not ensure his off-hand (non-working hand) was not in the line of fire while performing the cut.


How do we Prevent from Happening Again?
Emphasize to all employees the proper PPE required when using sharp tools (i.e. cut resistant gloves).

Emphasize to all employees the importance of recognizing all hazards involved in every job or task….even those that seem simple or routine.

What actions do I take?

• Conduct a Safety stand down and review this Safety Alert with all Furmanite employees worldwide.