MNM Fatal 2013-04MNM Fatal 2013-04

Falling Material Accident Falling Material Accident April 4, 2013 (Arizona)April 4, 2013 (Arizona) Copper OperationCopper Operation Contract General Foreman Contract General Foreman 30 years old30 years old 6 years of experience6 years of experience

OverviewOverviewThe victimThe victim was killed when a suspended 40-foot long section of 36-was killed when a suspended 40-foot long section of 36-

inch inch diameter steel pipe fell and struck him. An excavator was being diameter steel pipe fell and struck him. An excavator was being

used to used to position the pipe to connect it to another section of pipe. The pipe, position the pipe to connect it to another section of pipe. The pipe, attached to the excavator by a lifting strap, shifted and fell on the attached to the excavator by a lifting strap, shifted and fell on the

victim. victim. The pipe was being installed as part of a new system to flow waste The pipe was being installed as part of a new system to flow waste

water water from the flotation tanks back to a new impoundment. from the flotation tanks back to a new impoundment.

The accident occurred due to contractor management’s failure to The accident occurred due to contractor management’s failure to identify identify

the risks associated with the task of installing the pipe. The the risks associated with the task of installing the pipe. The contractor contractor

had established policies and procedures; however, management had established policies and procedures; however, management failed to failed to

follow them. Additionally, the victim had not received task training follow them. Additionally, the victim had not received task training before installing the pipe. He was working under a suspended load before installing the pipe. He was working under a suspended load

when when the load shifted and fell on him. the load shifted and fell on him.

Root CauseRoot CauseRoot Cause:Root Cause: Contractor management failed to follow the policies and procedures that had Contractor management failed to follow the policies and procedures that had

been established to install the pipe. The problems installing the pipe were not been established to install the pipe. The problems installing the pipe were not properly addressed. Contractor management also failed to ensure that all persons properly addressed. Contractor management also failed to ensure that all persons working on the pipe project had received the proper task training prior to starting work working on the pipe project had received the proper task training prior to starting work on this project. on this project.

Corrective Action:Corrective Action: Contractor management developed a Master Task Plan to ensure all Contractor management developed a Master Task Plan to ensure all safety items regarding the pipe installation have been addressed. This plan requires safety items regarding the pipe installation have been addressed. This plan requires that trained and qualified personnel will install the remaining pipe. Engineered metal that trained and qualified personnel will install the remaining pipe. Engineered metal supports will be used to hold up the spigot end of a pipe while it is inserted into the supports will be used to hold up the spigot end of a pipe while it is inserted into the bell end of the adjacent pipe and all the pipe joints will be tack welded prior to moving bell end of the adjacent pipe and all the pipe joints will be tack welded prior to moving to the next section of pipe to be installed. to the next section of pipe to be installed.

Contractor management had a pipe support designed and engineered to prevent Contractor management had a pipe support designed and engineered to prevent persons from working under a suspended load when putting together spigot and bell persons from working under a suspended load when putting together spigot and bell end 36 inch pipe. This pipe support will prevent the pipe from falling or rolling side to end 36 inch pipe. This pipe support will prevent the pipe from falling or rolling side to side. side.

A task training program regarding these new procedures for handling 36-inch spigot A task training program regarding these new procedures for handling 36-inch spigot and bell pipe design was established. All persons assigned to work on the pipe project and bell pipe design was established. All persons assigned to work on the pipe project have received the task training. Any new persons assigned to work on the pipe project have received the task training. Any new persons assigned to work on the pipe project will receive this training. will receive this training.

Best PracticesBest Practices

Establish and discuss safe work procedures. Identify and control all hazards Establish and discuss safe work procedures. Identify and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed along with the methods to associated with the work to be performed along with the methods to properly protect persons. properly protect persons.

Task train all persons to recognize all potential hazardous conditions and to Task train all persons to recognize all potential hazardous conditions and to understand safe job procedures for elimination of the hazards before understand safe job procedures for elimination of the hazards before beginning work. beginning work.

Attach taglines to loads that may require steadying or guidance while Attach taglines to loads that may require steadying or guidance while suspended. suspended.

• Securely block equipment against hazardous motion to ensure energy Securely block equipment against hazardous motion to ensure energy cannot be released while performing work. cannot be released while performing work.

Never work in the fall path of objects/materials of massive weights having Never work in the fall path of objects/materials of massive weights having the potential of becoming off-balanced while in a raised position. the potential of becoming off-balanced while in a raised position.

Implement measures to ensure persons are properly positioned and Implement measures to ensure persons are properly positioned and protected from hazards while performing a task. protected from hazards while performing a task.

Monitor personnel routinely to determine that safe work procedures are Monitor personnel routinely to determine that safe work procedures are followed.followed.