BP SAFETY ALERT

Incident – Strained Wrist Fencing Incident - Recordable

Bradfield CH #3 entrance

August 15, 2008

Brief Description of events

A 3 manfence crew was building a new fence and H brace area. Several new post holes were augured into place. The 6” steel posts were placed into several of the holes. These posts ranged from 8 to 10 ft in length depending on terrain location. There was at least one existing partially filled hole from a previously existing landowner fence line located 2 to 3 ft from one of the new post holes. A wooden H brace had existed in this area and was removed by the fence crew. As the new holes were being augured, the waste material from these holes was being used to fill the previous H brace holes. The result was that the previously existing hole was about 4” deep. The new 6” post was placed in the new hole manually and had an estimated weight of 160 to 180 lbs. After being placed in the hole it was found that the hole was slightly too deep and the normal work plan would be to raise the post slightly and shovel in dirt around it. Instead the post was completely removed by one person. As the post was removed the individual stepped back into the 4 inch deep previous hole and his right foot entered this hole causing him to fall. As he fell he was attempting to keep the post stable with him and his elbow contacted the ground first with the post landing on the wrist. The individual was transported to Animas Emergency Physicians in Durango where initial X-rays were taken that did not indicate fracture. The individual was prescribed pain medication and light duty.

The After Action Process was used to determine the root cause and resulting actions in order to develop ownership in preventing a reoccurrence.

Critical Factors/Contributing Factors:

  • More clear instruction and communication could have happened among the crew concerning the fact that the post did not have to be removed from the hole in order to raise it.
  • The procedure should have been to measure the post hole depth prior to putting the post in so that dirt could be added if necessary prior to putting the post in the hole.
  • More specific procedures for removing heavy h brace posts are required that address the need to have 2 people lifting the weight and potentially a third person as a spotter steadying the post as it is laid down.
  • The JSEA should have addressed the specifics of previously existing holes and tripping hazards as well as the fact that the post is at the upper limits of an individual’s lifting capacity.
  • The working area limits around a specific fence job should be identified and made as safe as possible by completely filling holes, removing debris and rocks, etc… This should be a standard element in the morning JSEA to survey the work site and clear it prior to auguring.

Recommended Actions:

•Research job aids for handling heavy posts such as lifting straps or other specialized devices for handling. – Contractor; status update in 2 weeks

•Review the results of this AAR with all the contract fencing crews with focused discussion on the procedures for handling heavy h brace posts and the clearing of the work area. – Contractor; complete within one work week.

•Case management training and review to be conducted with all construction team contractors and BP site representatives. – Tracy Manolakis/John Mummery – complete by mid September 08