In two separate recent incidents, workers in the scrap metal industry have received fatal injuries after being struck by falling loads. Both incidents involved using oxy-cutters to cut large pieces of scrap metal into smaller pieces so they could be more easily handled and transported.
In the first incident, a worker was cutting up a truck which had two unsecured truck trays resting on top of the chassis. The worker was underneath the trays while oxy-cutting the truck’s suspension. The load shifted, and the trays weighing approximately 2 tonnes, slipped from the chassis, crushing the worker.
In the second incident, a worker was oxy-cutting a large bucket from an excavator that stood above head height. The worker was crushed when an 800kg piece of the upper part of the bucket he was cutting broke away from the main structure and fell on him.
Further information
- Guidance Note – Plant in the Workplace Making it Safe
- Health and safety in welding-Tech note 7 - Welding Technology Institute of Australia