【Accident Case Analysis】Object strike accident by a contractor of a certain company in 2014: 1 death

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Original post dated 2016-10-10, “Team Safety”. On June 18, 2015, a contractor from a certain company was removing the scaffolding of a 13-meter-high work platform as part of a sulfur recovery renovation project; one of the scaffolding poles slipped from the workers’ hands and fell to the ground, hitting a contractor who was acting as a supervisor there. Despite attempts to save him, he died. Details of the accident: At 13:30 on June 18, 2015, Liu, the deputy team leader of the scaffolding team in a company’s construction department, led seven workers including Chen and Shang to dismantle the scaffolding of the 13-meter-high work platform for the sulfur recovery and renovation project. Five of them were responsible for removing the scaffolding poles, two were on the 13-meter working platform to receive those poles, while Liu was on the ground to oversee safety at the site. At around 15:20, Liu noticed that the worker Cai was standing in the area surrounding the sulfur production facility, so he went over to warn Cai, saying, \"The scaffolding above is being removed; entry is prohibited in this area. Be careful.\" At that moment, Chen and Shang were removing a 6-meter-long scaffold pole that ran east-west at a height of 17 meters above the ground. After removing the clamps on both sides, Chen pulled the 6-meter-long scaffold pole to the west, with Shang holding it from the other side. When Chen had pulled the scaffold pole about 3 meters to the west, Shang lost grip, causing the pole to tilt to the west and fall down along the western side of the 13-meter-long work platform. Chen immediately called out to Liu, who was below the platform, but due to the loud noise at the scene, Liu couldn’t hear him. The scaffold pole hit Liu right below his right shoulder, causing him to fall to the ground. Cai immediately called the security personnel present and also alerted the police. Once the ambulance arrived, Liu was taken to the hospital, but despite efforts to save him, he died at 16:20. Analysis of the cause of the accident: The immediate cause was a coordination error on the part of the workers while removing the scaffolding poles from a 13-meter-high work platform; as a result, the poles slipped from their hands and fell, hitting the personnel monitoring on the ground and causing their death. Indirect cause (1): The construction unit failed to prepare a specific construction plan for the dismantling of the scaffolding, did not provide safety and technical instructions prior to the dismantling, and there was no dedicated person in charge at the dismantling site. The formulated \"100,000 tons/year sulfur recovery and scaffolding renovation construction plan\" includes requirements regarding the demolition of the scaffolding, but it violates the regulations set by the parent company’s engineering construction standards, as no specific construction plan for the demolition of the scaffolding was prepared ； No safety and technical instructions were provided prior to demolition based on the findings from the safety hazard inspection at the work site ； When multiple people were working at the site (5 people working simultaneously), there was no dedicated person in charge to provide unified supervision on the work level. (2) The construction unit’s project department has deficiencies in risk identification and control. Neither the person in charge of the construction site nor the workers recognized the risk that the scaffolding poles might slide sideways and fall at a distance, and no expanded safety zone was established ； The work at height permit identified the risks of falling from heights and being struck by objects, but no effective preventive measures were taken. (3) Inadequate supervision by the owner’s project team and the supervisory unit. The owner’s project team and the supervisor failed to conduct a thorough professional review of the \"Construction Plan for Scaffolding in the 100,000 tons/year sulfur recovery and renovation project\" prepared by the construction unit; as a result, they did not notice the requirement that the construction unit needed to prepare a separate construction plan for the dismantling of the scaffolding ； There was no oversight to ensure that the construction party implemented specific safety measures in light of the actual circumstances ； The on-site management personnel of the supervision unit were not present at the scene during the accident, resulting in inadequate on-site supervision ； The on-site HSE supervisors of the owner’s project team failed to adequately supervise, inspect, and manage the preventive measures against risks such as falls from height and object strikes during the scaffolding demolition work. Lessons from the accident (1): Strictly implement the requirements of JGJ130-2011 \"Safety Technical Specifications for Fastened Steel Tubular Scaffolds in Building Construction\", and ensure thorough preparation, review, and approval of the plans. A specific construction plan must be developed for the dismantling of scaffolding. Before dismantling, a thorough inspection of the scaffolding is carried out; based on the results of this inspection, the sequence and measures for dismantling outlined in the plan are adjusted as necessary. Qualified reviewers conduct strict professional evaluations, and during the dismantling process, a dedicated person must be assigned to oversee the operations as required. (2) Strengthen risk identification prior to the erection and dismantling of scaffolding, and strictly implement risk control measures. Before starting the work of setting up or dismantling scaffolding, a thorough risk assessment of the entire process must be carried out. Based on the results of this risk analysis, specific measures should be implemented to prevent objects from falling from heights; the perimeter area should be properly defined, with fences and warning signs installed on the ground, and dedicated personnel should be assigned to keep watch to ensure that no one enters that area. (3) Strengthen safety and technical briefings before operations. Before carrying out the demolition work, based on a risk analysis, the on-site workers are informed about the tasks to be performed, the associated risks, control measures, and emergency response procedures. (4) Implement the work safety responsibility system at all levels. Leaders and cadres should set an example by taking the lead in carrying out their tasks, adhering strictly to management standards, and personally overseeing high-risk operations on site to ensure that such risks remain under control at all times. (5) Further strengthen the behavior management of personnel working at the maintenance site. It is necessary to further strengthen safety supervision in the direct operation phase, strictly implement measures such as \"dual supervision,\" carry out risk assessments and take preventive actions, and effectively control unsafe human behaviors ； When arranging work, it is important to combine experienced employees with newer ones, making full use of the mentoring role and experience of senior staff, so as to enable mutual supervision and reminders to ensure personal safety.