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Lost time injury (LTI): Hand cut during cutting operations

A member has reported an incident in which a welder badly cut his hand using a hand-held circular cutting tool. The incident occurred when a sub-contractor welder was cutting off an air vent in preparation for further welding work. Shortly after he started work, there was a loud shout and the chief mate rushed to him to find out that the welder has cut his palm all the way to his two fingers. First aid treatment was administered before he was taken to hospital for surgery. It was confirmed that two of his finger bones and veins were broken and cut off respectively.

Our member’s investigation noted the following:

  • The welder had been through job hazard analysis (JHA) training on the morning of the day of the incident;
  • The welder was rushing to finish the job;
  • The welder replaced the blade in his cutting machine but was distracted and failed to fix back in place the blade protective guard.
Cutting machine (with blade guard fitted)
Cutting machine (with blade guard fitted)
Hand/arm following treatment
Hand/arm following treatment

Safety Event

Published: 4 September 2012
Download: IMCA SF 09/12

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