8/8/2019 Safety Bulletin_Fatal Accident Truck Driver Crushed by the Wheel

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For further details contact Saipem QHSE Department – HSE Reporting Page no. 1

SAFETY BULLETIN

FATAL ACCIDENTDRIVER CRUSHED BY THE TRUCK WHEEL

ACCIDENT BRI EF DESCRIPTION

GENERALITIES

Accident Location: Project Menzel Ledjmet East Gas Field - Algeria

Date of the accident: 13 th August 2010

Type of activity: Loading of truck w ith excavated soil

Personnel involved: Subcontractor truck driver

The truck driver (Injured P erson) was preparing for loading the truck w ith excavatedsoil. In order to do that, he had to park his truck in the position advised by theexcavator’s operator, but when the driver tried to move the truck the engine did notstart.

Therefore the driver got off from the cabin to check the engine starter. In order toreach the starter (see the picture no 2) he positioned betw een the truck wheel and thearch of the truck wheel (see the picture no 1). After several failed attempts to startthe engine the driver used an iron wire to shortcut to the engine electrical terminals.The starter turned on the engine and the truck moved because the first gear wasinserted pushing him at ground . The truck wheel passed with its edge on the right sideof the victim’s body.

The truck driver was transported to the clinic w here he w as stabilized and operated on14th of August. He died on 15 th of August due to internal injuries.

Picture no1. Driver position to access tothe truck starter (simulation)

Picture no 2. Position of the starterbehind the wheel

8/8/2019 Safety Bulletin_Fatal Accident Truck Driver Crushed by the Wheel

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For further details contact Saipem QHSE Department – HSE Reporting Page no. 2

SAFETY BULLETIN

Scaffolding tubesused as ladder

CAUSES OF THE ACCIDENT

• Lack of know ledge: the truck driver was not aware of the safety system installed onthe truck, which did not allow to start the vehicle’s engine when the gear was on firstposition. The investigation team checked the truck and the engine startedimmediately with the gear on neutral position.

• Inadequate hazard recognition: Even though the driver had 9 years of experienceas driver he left the vehicle on first gear and then he accessed the truck electricalsystem by placing himself between the w heel and the arch of the wheel.

• Lack of communication system. Even though the vehicle was in good condition and

the maintenance done there was no communication system in place in case of truckmalfunction between the drivers and maintenance w orkshop.

• Lack of safety intervention or STOP the work for wrong safety behavior. Nobodystopped the truck driver even though he was observed taking the unsafe position bythe excavator operator.

CORRECTIVE ACTIONS

• Safety inductions shall be provided to all subcontractor personnel.

• The vehicles operators shall receive a specific training for operating theirequipments. The training shall include information regarding the safe systems /protections of the vehicles/ equipments they operate.

• Enforce the safe behavior and “STOP the work” of the subcontractor personnelwhen unsafe behaviors and unsafe conditions are noted. Implement STOPObservation cards procedure.

• Develop and implement a procedure to ensure a proper log of planned maintenanceto equipments and vehicles in maintained and followed.

• Define a procedure of communication the vehicles malfunctions betweensubcontractor drivers and contractor maintenance workshop.