Alert 11 – 10 Improper Use of Sledgehammer Results in a Lost Time Accident
WHAT HAPPENED:
Employees were attempting to remove a valve seat from a mud pump module that was to be used as a spare. The valve seat puller being used was damaged while trying to remove the valve seat and the welder heated the seat in an attempt to loosen it. A sledgehammer was used to strike another sledgehammer face that was placed on the valve seat in an attempt to loosen and remove the seat when a piece of both the valve seat and sledgehammer face broke off. The broken piece of metal from the sledge hammer face penetrated the leg of the employee who was standing approximately 9 feet (3 meters) away performing fire watch duties.