UPDATED on 3/11/03
Dear Bryan:
Am I missing something? I have read the caption on the below attached photo / description several times….and I can appreciate the (additional) safety violations noted, but nowhere is thebiggie – Number one should have been, it is a violation to store or transport compressed gas cylinders horizontal, period. Being “stacked too high” is a moot point. I really hate to criticize anyone else’s contribution, but this is a constant problem for me with our subcontractors and one I am always correcting and preaching on. I think it is worth a little editor’s note here that when transporting any (even one) compressed gas cylinder, it must be secured in an upright position. Had that one been adhered to, they wouldn’t have been in that situation. That would also clarify the issue for any “non safety professionals” who visit the site and may not be aware of the specific rule.
Thanks, I hope you receive this in a positive light – I appreciate all you do, and as I have mentioned in previous correspondence, I visit and utilize your site a great deal. Thanks for doing such a great job and keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
Bruce Lamach
Kajima Construction Services, Inc.
Safety Director – Southwest Region
No Bruce, I was the one that missed it. Many Many Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to bring this to my attention. ONLY when we all work together will we make the BIGGEST IMPACT! Thanks again for making this posting as accurate as we can make it!
Bryan
The photos show a pickup truck with a load of compressed cylinders stored horizontally. After a sudden stop, the cylinders slid forward into the driver’s compartment. Thankfully, the driver was missed and there was no passenger. Also, the valve stem covers were installed which may have prevented a catastrophic incident.
This incident happened at another plant, but it warrants discussion for learning purposes. I want to re-emphasize to all that we should pay attention to what we are doing and always keep safety in mind. The pictures here illustrate several safety violations:
1. The bottles were stacked too high.
2. A dangerous load was not properly secured.
3. The driver was speeding and failed to brake properly.
4. After the accident, the driver drove 2 miles back to the shop in an unsafe vehicle.
Luckily, no one was hurt in this case, but do we really want to depend on luck? Would you have liked to have been a passenger in this vehicle? Bottom line, follow safety guidelines, and think ORM!!!
Many thanks to our Friends at Ohio’s Bureau of Worker’s Compensation and Sheppard AFB, TX for sharing this incident with us.
