Syncrude Emissions Reduction SER Project

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Syncrude Emissions Reduction (SER) Project TIC
Canada Ltd. Aerial Work Platform
Incident March 28, 2008
Oz MachadoManager, Syncrude Joint InterestMay
13, 2008
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• General
• Lost Time Work Injury - contractor employee
  fractured right femur
• Prime Contractor - Syncrude Canada Ltd.
  Contractor - TIC Canada 2002 ULC
• Description
• Incident occurred on March 28, 2008 at 835 AM
  Mildred Lake Plant Site
• Ironworker, along with spotter, repositioned
  aerial work platform (AWP) in congested area
  adjacent to structural steel AWP basket jams
  against concrete pillar
• Ironworker unhooks fall protection lanyard to
  exit AWP basket suddenly releases from jammed
  position person thrown out of basket, strikes
  overhead steel beam, falls to grade
• Treatment
• Emergency Response provided on-site medical
  attention
• Transported to Northern Lights Regional Health
  Center (Ft. McMurray) airlifted to Royal
  Alexandra Hospital (Edmonton) due to injury
  severity
• Underwent surgery to install pins to repair
  uneven femur break

• Direct Causes
• Operator / spotter failed to perform area hazard
  assessment
• Operator failed to conduct equipment walk-around
  (standard procedure)
• Operator not able to see that the boom was stuck
  due to a blind spot
• Spotter was at opposite end of AWP and did not
  see how tight the area was
• Management process breakdown on job hazard
  assessment (JHA) quality and oversight of safety
  processes
• Immediate Corrective Actions
• Updated requirements for operating AWPs in
  congested areas two spotters required when
  operating in areas with clearance lt 10 ft.
• Reviewed contractors SHE requirements for AWPs
  and JHA expectations
• Increased monthly senior management site tours /
  audits to focus on AWP work to ensure procedures
  are being followed
• Systemic Causes
• Quality of contractors JHA process and hazard
  recognition
• Operators competency to operate equipment
• Systematic Corrective Actions
• Implement audit process of JHA development
• Verify operators competency prior to operating
  equipment and use of JHA tools

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Concrete Residue on AWP Knuckle
Work Area
Damaged Concrete Pillar (southwest side)
Location of AWP with Concrete
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Location of the JLG at the time of the incident.
The Stairs were placed at the basket later.
Highlighted is the column.