Thames Water Wholesale Wastewater

Learning bulletin

Hit by InjuryAt a Thames Water project an operative was moving a water bowser with a missing jockey wheel which was planned to be taken off site due to the missing jockey wheel. Whilst hitching the bowser to the vehicle the ‘A’ frame dropped

before the pin had been engaged and landed on the IPs foot. The IP fractured a metatarsal bone in his left

foot.

Causation factorsThe route of the collection vehicle for the hire company was inappropriate and should not have been used.The bowser should have been secured with the pin into the jaws of the hitch before the chains were taken off the bowser.If the missing Jockey wheel had been in place this incident would not have taken place.

What can I do differently?There was no point of work risk assessment for the task, considering the Jockey wheel was missing which made the task more hazardous.A Safety Alert was produced and briefed on ‘Personal Positioning and Awareness’ The Speedy hire vehicle was taking the bowser from site via a temporary access route which was unsuitable for wheeled vehicles.

Tony AshfordLearning from Incidents