Fatigue Awareness

Employee Responsibilities Regarding Fatigue: 

ÜRemaining drug and alcohol free during their employment with Furmanite.

ÜNot using over-the-counter or prescription drugs to increase mental alertness.

ÜEmployees are prohibited from taking any substance known to increase fatigue, including fatigue that sets in after the effects of the drug wear off.

ÜEmployees must report fatigue/tiredness and lack of mental acuity to supervision.

ÜEmployees/contractors should use their time off the job to get the appropriate sleep or rest and maintain their alertness and fitness for duty.

ÜEmployees should to monitor their own performance and take regular periods of rest to avoid continuing work when tired.

ÜMonitor co-workers state of alertness.

SAFETY ALERT - Removing Insert Sleeve

What Happened?


A technician was using a screwdriver wedge / pry out a Teflon (PTFE)  insert sleeve from a Durco plug valve. (see picture)

 During the process the screwdriver slipped and due to the force being applied it sprung upwards and hit the technician’s upper jaw.  The technician was transported to a local medical facility and was diagnosed with a broken jaw.

Preliminary Investigation Findings

Inserts are “pressed in” during manufacture or during overhaul and are an extremely tight fit making them difficult to extract. The standard removal method, as recommended by the manufacturer, is to split the insert and then extract it using pliers.

The recommended way to split the insert is to insert a screw driver through the   ports on the valve and hit the screwdriver with a mallet until the insert splits.

 

The technician split the insert as per recommendations but then used a screwdriver to wedge / pry the insert out rather than using the pliers resulting in the injury.

Action to Prevent Reoccurrences     

The local Operations Manager is to deliver a Toolbox Talk to workshop technicians with reference to ensuring compliance with manufacturer’s instructions for the disassembly of valve components.

Immediate Action Required  

1. Workshop Managers/Supervisors to inform workshop personnel to follow manufacturer’s instructions for the disassembly of components. If an alternative method needs to be used, for whatever reason, a pre-work assessment of the additional hazards must be undertaken and appropriate actions taken to remove / reduce the risk.

    

2. VR Service Line to initiate review and determine if there are any other methods that would make removal safer.