Alerts & Learnings

Near Miss - A "riveting" lessons learned

During the process of applying side liners to the PVC reels, the pneumatic rivet gun used to fasten the liners in place failed when the Operator engaged the trigger. When the components failed the plunger, housing, etc. hit the operator in the thigh. No injuries or first aid was required. Investigation revealed that the plant air at that time was set at 115 psi but the gun is rated for a maximum of 90 psi. No regulator was in place at the time of the incident to lower the pressure to the tool.
■Employees were utilizing an older style pneumatic rivet gun that is rated at a maximum of 90 psi.
■Newer style rivet guns had been purchased and received but not yet placed in the workshop which are rated for a maximum of 120 psi.
■Available “plant” air is conditioned and available at 115 psi throughout the facility.
■Employees were attempting to install liners utilizing stainless steel rivets which required a higher pressure requirement than the traditional aluminum ones used on previous installations.
■A site survey of pneumatic tools indicated a maximum working pressure of 90 psi on a majority of the equipment.
■Regulators are available onsite however, they are typically not set to the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) for the tool being utilized.

Currently no process exists for HSSE review and approval for hand and power tools prior to arrival for use onsite

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