The NSW Resources Regulator has released a report into an incident involving a Boilermaker lancing and cooling a seized pin from the rear axle of a dump truck.
A boilermaker was trying to remove a seized pin from a rear axle link in a dump haul truck. The pin was heated using a lance, then cooled using water. This process was repeated. As the worker applied water to cool the pin, an explosion occurred, ejecting the pin horizontally from the pin bore where it hit the left pelvis of the boilermaker and pushed him back onto a scaffolding frame. The pin weighed about 50 kilograms. The scene was secured and the boilermaker was transferred to hospital. He suffered minor injuries.
READ MORE
Mine Incident | Operator’s hair ripped out by borer(Opens in a new browser tab)
Dump truck collision investigation highlights fatigue management(Opens in a new browser tab)
Safety reset followed by a serious incident(Opens in a new browser tab)
The Regulator says that lancing and cooling is a regular practice used frequently by Boilermakers to remove seized pins. However, the explosion that occurred was unprecedented and at the time of writing, not understood.
The Regulator has commenced a causal investigation into the incident so that the circumstances can be better understood and lessons shared with the industry.
Read more Mining Safety News
When removing pins by the stated method, JSA should have noted that cooling the pin the operation should be completed from either side not whilst standing in line with the pin.
It is very easy to say after the incident has happened. Hindsight is a fantastic thing. In my time in industry i have not seen and would not of considered the pin ejecting from the bore a potential risk.
Man you are a genius
Expander pins can eliminate this hazards due to their innovative design and disassembly features. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGf52kxYJqU