During offshore energy operations, a worker was recently injured while attempting to install a hydraulic line on a pipe-handling machine. The worker determined that the combination wrench on hand was too long for this particular use and attempted to manually alter the tool by placing the wrench into a vice to shorten the length using a hacksaw.
During the wrench alteration process, the worker cut a gloved hand with the sharp edge of the altered wrench handle, resulting in a laceration requiring sutures.
Upon investigating the incident, the operator’s Incident Investigation Team identified the following causal factors: