An incident at a business serves as a timely reminder that WE must be ever on the look out for potential hazards and risks around working with Hydraulic Fluid under pressure. WARNING!!! Graphic Image
The incident in this case involved finding the source of a small hydraulic leak on a drilling rig – WE in Recycling can relate this to finding hydraulic leaks on our mobile and fixed plant & equipment.
The fitter found the small leak and requested the machine to be shut down so that the hose could be replaced.
When the machine was shut down the fitter placed his double gloved index finger over the wear spot on the hose so as not to loose the location of the leak.
The fitter was not aware that the machine system remained pressurised and actually increased pressure (back pressure hazard) for approximately 2 seconds after the machine is shut down
Hydraulic Fluid burst through the wear spot on the hose and injected through the double gloves into the fitter’s index finger. Major surgery was required to track and remove the injected hydraulic fluid from the fitter’s finger and hand.
There is a PowerPoint presentation on the Hazard and Consequences of Hydraulic Fluid Injection – However this presentation contains photographs and drawings of a Graphic Nature and persons must be warned before being presented to.
