Swing Stage Motor Failure Proves Deadly

Swing Stage Motor Failure Proves Deadly

Having a swing stage scaffold motor fail can be a pain, but if a worker is left stranded in a hazardous area, he or she can die. That type of situation occurred in a boiler at Suncor Energy in Fort McMurray, AB.

Two workers were cleaning the inside of a Trans-Alta operated boiler when a motor on a swing stage scaffold failed. The inside of the boiler was very hot, and the workers were stranded in place for over three hours while rescuers tried to get them out. One man was taken to hospital suffering from heat stress. He did not survive. His co-worker was treated and released from hospital.

Alberta’s Human Resources and Employment branch investigated the fatality. It has ordered TransAlta to address hazards that can occur during boiler cleaning operations. TransAlta was also ordered to ensure that workers are properly trained. It also must develop and implement emergency response and rescue plans and certify that equipment is in safe operating condition. ?

Do you work in confined spaces? The oilpatch is full of them, and they are dangerous to life and health. To avoid exposing yourself to unnecessary hazards in confined spaces:

• Always have an exit strategy and a rescue plan: If the air turned poisonous in an instant, how would you get out? More importantly, how would someone else get you out?
• Never enter any confined space unless you have the training to do it safely.
• Think about what you’re going into: A confined space might be the size of a house, or too small to stand up in.
• Confined spaces are often hot. Carry water if possible, make sure to take regular breaks, and get out if you start feeling ill.

Source: Alberta Human Resources and Employment, Workplace Incident Fatalities, January 1, 2006 to November 8, 2006