Construction Hazard Alert: Workers Severely Injured Using Demolition Robots

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  Washington (State). Department of Labor and Industries
• Description:
  Two construction workers were severely injured in separate incidents involving remote controlled-demolition machines also known as demolition robots. Workers operated similar machines with three-part articulating arms powered by electric-controlled hydraulics. Both used remote controllers intended to keep them outside the machine's risk zone, which varies by specific machine, attachment, and task. 1. An operator was using a machine fitted with a shear attachment to demolish an HVAC system. He wore a waist-mounted remote controller connected to the machine by wire. After he repositioned the machine, he had to move the power cable before lowering the outrigger. As he attempted to move the cable, he bumped the remote control against the machine. He had not put the machine into emergency stop mode, so it moved and pinned him between the outrigger and the wall. He tried to free himself but lost consciousness. 2. An operator was using a machine with a breaker attachment to chip concrete as part of a generator installation project. He stood in a tight spot between the excavation wall and the machine. As he tried to apply more pressure on the tip of the breaker, the front outrigger raised off the ground. The machine suddenly shifted forward and the outrigger came down, crushing his foot. He was able to use the remote control to raise the outrigger but suffered broken bones and nerve damage. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. Prepare a job hazard analysis with operators for each new job to identify and control hazards. Use the manufacturer's safety instructions to establish the risk zone for the specific machine, attachment, and task. 2. Always stay outside the risk zone when the machine is in operation (Figure 1), and do not enter until the machine is put into emergency stop mode or deenergized. 3. Consider using a proximity warning system, such as those based on radio frequency identification (RFID), to maintain a safe worker-to-machine distance. 4. Train operators to manage power cables and to continually monitor the process for hazards and redefine the risk zone. 5. Ensure operators always read and follow manufacturer's provided safety instructions. 6. Consider using a spotter to assist the operator. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Accident Prevention Accidents Accidents, Occupational Construction Industry Hazardous Substances Manufacturing And Industrial Facilities Mortality Occupational Health Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Safety Management Staff Development Workplace

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• Keywords:
  Accident Analysis Accident Potential Accident Prevention Construction Workers Demolition Industry Equipment Design Equipment Operators Fatalities Hazard Identification Hazard Recognition Hydraulic Equipment Industrial Hazards Injuries Injury Prevention Machine Operation Machine Operators Recommendations Remote Control Risk Factors Robotics Safety Measures Safety Monitoring Training Traumatic Injuries Work Environment Work Zone

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• Series:
  CPWR - Center for Construction Research and Training Publications
• Subseries:
  Hazard Alerts
• Publisher:
  Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Report
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1 pdf page
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20055530
• Citation:
  Olympia, WA: Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, 47-26-2019, 2019 Mar; :1
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2019
• Performing Organization:
  Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Hazard alert: workers severely injured using demolition robots
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:89454d5d909822271809ead61ccc8b90256506f04eb02907f9c759339b39ea5faaa98a01c8cb1584cadd3dffe2456c27f48f511951f8ef3d3f94dfc6fd108bb0
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/212881/cdc_212881_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 278.84 KB ]