Inspection Detail

Inspection: 15260219 - Niject Services Co

Inspection Information - Office: Wyoming Department Of Workforce Services - Osha Division

Investigation Summary

SOME EMPLOYEES WERE ASSEMBLING A LARGE FOUR-STAGE AIR COMPRESSOR AT A NITROGEN PLANT. EMPLOYEE #1 WAS ATTEMPTING TO LEVEL A SECTION OF THE COMPRESSOR IN ORDER TO BOLT IT ONTO A FIXED SECTION. HE WAS USING A COME-ALONG, WHICH WAS CONNECTED FROM THE SIDE OF THE SECTION TO A HOIST WHICH SUPPORTED THE SECTION. THE EMPLOYEE WAS WORKING FROM A PLATFORM APPROXIMATELY 17 FEET ABOVE THE FLOOR. HE COULD NOT ACHIEVE THE PROPER LEVERAGE FROM THE PLATFORM, SO HE STEPPED OUT ONTO A 5 TO 6 INCH FLANGE AROUND THE BOTTOM OF THE SECTION. THE COME-ALONG WAS LOCATED ABOVE HIS HEAD, FORCING HIM PUSH THE HANDLE UPWARDS TO GET TO THE FLANGE. APPARENTLY THE RATCHET DID NOT ENGAGE THE SAFETY LOCKING DEVICE. THE HANDLE SPRANG BACK AND STRUCK EMPLOYEE #1, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE HIS BALANCE AND FALL APPROXIMATELY 18 FEET TO THE FLOOR.

Keywords: HAND WINCH, LOST BALANCE, PLATFORM, FALL, STRUCK BY