Cable handling incident
A technician was knocked unconscious when he was struck on the head by a cable. The incident occurred when cable being used to pull the beginning of a 23″ pipeline by a 10 ton air tugger. The technician was trying to get to the other side of the pipe alley by passing beneath the cable when the nylon sling broke causing the cable to recoil and strike him. Fortunately he was not seriously injured.
The contractor involved has prepared procedures to ensure that no-one except designated personnel, is in the pipe alley while pipe is being pulled.
The incident also highlights the importance of the use of correct rigging. The pulling head at the beginning of the pipeline should have had a shackle attached to it instead of a nylon sling.
Safety Event
Published: 1 January 1998
Download: 
IMCA SF 01/98
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