Hammering Pin Dislodges Boom

A laborer at a surface quarry mine was trying to take apart a crane boom to install additional sections. He had trouble removing one of the pins holding two sections together. While underneath an unsupported section of the boom, he placed a small hammer against the pin and then struck it with a sledge hammer. The pin was dislodged and the heavy boom fell on the worker. It took another crane to pull the boom off him. Despite attempts at first aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

This task should have been the subject of a job safety analysis so a safe work procedure could have been established before he went to work on the boom. Always be aware of the big picture when you are working. Ask yourself what will happen if you perform an action. In this case, it should have been obvious all that was holding the boom section was the pin being hammered out.