Lumber Industry Employee Killed When Lockout-Tagout Procedures Not Followed
Problem
A worker at a lumber company was killed while changing the blades on a piece of cutting equipment when a colleague mistakenly turned on the machine.
Review
A cutting machine was undergoing routine service for changing of its blades. Lockout-Tagout (LOTO) procedures, although in place, were not followed by the maintenance worker.
Assessment
Another worker started the cutting machine without realizing it was being serviced. He was unable to turn it off before the maintenance worker was fatally injured.
Recommendation
Establish, implement, and enforce a LOTO program:
OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1) - The employer shall establish a program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performs any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative.
Result
A properly implemented LOTO program can save lives. It must be followed at all times, no matter how small the maintenance job is. Please refer to PIR001SF on Lockout/Tagout for more details.