On Wednesday, November 8, 2017, around 8:45am, a contract employee was in the process of demolishing a stainless steel low-level air return. As a part of the demolition process, a hole was drilled into the front panel of the low-level air return to allow the demolition team to utilize a tool called "double cuts" to assist with the cutting of the stainless steel. Below the hole (5") there was a stainless steel clip that needed to be detached to allow a different section of the low-level air return to be removed. To detach the clip, the affected employee used a screwdriver to pry the clip open. The employee was using both hands to control the screwdriver and applying pressure to pry open the clip. During this motion, the affected employee lost their grip over the screwdriver and the top side of their right hand made contact with the sharp edge created by the hole resulting in a laceration. The employee was wearing the Great White brand, level 3, cut resistant gloves at the time of injury. The laceration occurred at a location of the hand where the polyurethane did not cover the glove.
Factors to consider at your site or on your project include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Train employees to address environmental hazards that were created as a result of their work and overall hazard recognition.
- If possible, dull or protect sharp edges that exist in the work environment.
- Complete a refresher of company demolition safe practices.