Nanaimo, BCV9X 1T5
Phone: (250) 754-7260
Fax: (250) 754-7262
Incident/Close Call
Location:Rifle Main
Date of Incident:May 7, 2010
Details of Incident:
Operator was falling a new right of way with a feller buncher. During his falling pass, from the tree line back to the beginning of the block, he grabbed an 8” – 45 foot tall fir tree from the right hand side of the right of way and attempted to place it on the left hand low side of the opening. During this process, the machine broke through the puncheon/brush on the left front corner of the track and slid down 6 feet until it came to a
stop. At this point, the inertia tipped the machine over on to its side. The machine rolled onto the cab side of the machine, blocking the side exit door. The escape hatch was also blocked by a 12 inch tall stump. The operator called for assistance and explained that he was trapped and fearful that the machine might ignite with him inside. The first two workers on the scene ensured that the site was safe and reassured the operator that there did not appear to be any concern for fire, but that they would stand by with extinguishers and reminded the operator of his suppression should a problem present itself. Another operator, using an excavator, secured the machine with the bucket while another worker bucked the stump off. The escape hatch was then opened and the operator exited the machine with no injuries. The operator had been wearing his seat belt when the machine rolled and stayed calm throughout the extraction.
Root Cause of Incident:
Operator did not do an adequate risk/hazard assessment and so was not suffiently awareness of his surroundings. The machine was not stable on all 4 corners of the tracks for maximum stability. The operator visually assessed the terrain and stability, but failed to see or feel the hole under the puncheon on the left front corner of the undercarriage.
Recommended Preventative Actions:
- This incident as well as JSB, SOP and Safe Work Procedures will be reviewed with all bunchermen and employees.
- The Buncher JSB will be reviewed by the Supervisor and operator, involved in the incident, and appropriate changes will be made as they see fit. Special attention will be focused on the steep slope section and how it should be re-phrased to include flat ground complacency.
- Once the proposed changes to the Buncher JSB have been approved they will be reviewed with the rest of the crew.
- Additional crew participation will be encouraged and advice from the Joint Occupational Health & Safety committee will be welcome.
Don Banasky
FallTech Logging Ltd.
(250) 754-7260
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