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Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 012

M Mott – 24 September 2005

Injury on Scissor Lift

We have recently been informed of an injury to a steel erector working on a petrol forecourt.

The worker fell from a scissor lift whilst removing fascia from a canopy, he was lucky to only suffer two
broken ankles. The accident investigation report is detailed below, with names removed. This incident
shows the reasons why it is imperative that workers always follow safety rules and also reinforces our
decision to enforce the use of harnesses at all times when working within scissor lifts.

Accident Report

The incident involved a steel erecting company which was subcontracted to the main contractor. The
activity involved the dismantling of the forecourt canopy. At the time of the incident there were only two
operatives from the subcontracting company and the crane operator present on site. The site manager
from the principle contractor was on site in the morning but decided to drive home at 1pm to check
emails. The incident occurred at 2.30pm.

The JSA stated that for works being completed from the scissors lift, the operatives will be harnessed to
the bar of the hoist platform.

The operative involved in the incident had approximately 8 years experience in the steel erecting
st
industry, the last 4 being with his current employer. The company had attended safety training (21 Feb
th
05) and a toolbox talk on work at height (24 Feb 05) which was completed by the company Safety
Officer.

th
The subcontractor started to dismantle the canopy on Wednesday 06 July. A life line was fixed across
the canopy and the roof sheeting was removed with both operatives wearing harnesses which were
anchored to the life line. On completion, the operatives started to remove the steel fascia to the perimeter
of the canopy. This fascia was jointed at bolted connections to the inside face of the canopy. The
operation required a crane to support the section of fascia to be removed with the banksman in
attendance. The other operative, then unbolted the connections from the scissors lift; however his
harness was not tied to the rails of the lift as required by the JSA.

The contractor progressed from the rear of the site to the front of the canopy. The connection at the front
of the canopy was under pressure and when released the section of fascia which remained connected to
the canopy sprung upwards. The banksman and Crane operator did not witness the injured party falling
from the scissor lift. The crane operator however did state that just before the incident he was standing
on the base of the scissors lift when working with the connection.

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Archive\Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 12 Scissor Lift Injury1.doc