Hand Injury Whilst Using Portable Hand Grinder

Task

Cutting of gratings to create end strips using a 9-inch hand grinder.

• The grinder cutting disc disintegrated during use

• This caused the grinder to kick and twist in the IPs hands, and for the remnants of the rotating disc to come in to contact with the palm of the IPs left hand

• This caused a 5cm laceration to the pad of the hand just below the operators little finger

• The IP (Injured Party) was seen by the platform medic and the following day flown to the beach to receive hospital treatment where the wound was cleaned and stitched

Findings:

The size of grinder used during the task (9 Inch) was larger than required resulting in increased kick back and awkward position during operation.

Incorrect PPE was worn during the task. The gloves worn were not on the company PPE Matrix and did not provide adequate cut protection from grinding.

The disc may have been faulty due to centre boss instability. (This is to be confirmed once manufacturer has complete associated testing)