Pocket Alarm 2012 HSEQ-Department, May 16th, 2012
Image 1 and 2: Accidents in the pipeline construction industry A ACCIDENT C C I D E N T
Job-related accident in the local newspaper Construction worker spiked by shovel Munich (Bavaria): An excavator driver was severely injured when trying to leave the excavator using the stairs. He slipped from the stairs and fell approximately from the height of 2 metres. He fell on the handle of a shovel which was left standing in the construction pit. The shovel handle entered approximately 50 centimeter into his buttocks ( )
Image 3: Industry accident. Firefighters are lifting a construction worker from the pit.
Statistical data on the number of fatalities and injuries related to pipeline accidents in the USA
Statistical data on the property damage related to pipeline accidents in the USA $381.117.557 The data source for this table is the PHMSA Filtered Incident Files
The following situation occurred in one of our workshops. Mario S. was working alone on one of the drilling machines when the machine tool broke and he slipped. Mario S. fell on the floor and injured his knee. He was in horrible pain and was not able to get up to alarm his colleagues. It took our employees 20 minutes to discover Mario and to provide him with first aid. The machine Mario S. was working at. Mario had to wait 20 minutes before he could receive any help. He probably suffered permanent damage. This case shows us: In the case of an accident every second counts! The broken machine tools. In our company MAX STREICHER we implemented very high standards of safety but unfortunately we still experience some severe accidents.
Another accident occurred on a construction site in the pipeline industry: The construction worker Luis M. was working alone in the trench. Suddenly he stumbled over his tool, injured himself and couldn t stand up anymore. He was not able to leave the trench on his own and his screams for help were unheard in the loud environment of the construction site. Luis had to wait for 40 minutes until one of his colleagues discovered him in the pit and provided first aid. Luis was waiting 40 minutes, alone and in pain. He was calling for help, but in the loud environment of the construction site, shouts are not enough! There have to be other measures implemented to help people to draw attention!
Another near accident on a construction site in the pipeline industry: The worker David L. was working in the construction trench. He did not know that his colleagues were already prepared to lower the pipe. David was still working unnoticed when the pipe was almost lowered on top of him and would have probably injured him severely. Thanks to his diligent colleague who checked the trench one more time prior to work start, David was not hurt. Thanks to his diligent colleagues David was not hurt! But construction sites are loud and there has to be a fast and safe way for our workers to warn each other in dangerous situations!
This also happened once at a construction site in the pipeline industry: Jerome W. was working all day lowering pipe in the trench. It was a very hot day and although Jerome thought about getting the water, he tried to finish his work first. Suddenly he felt very sick. He could not see clearly and was afraid to pass out. He tried to leave the machine and call for help but he was afraid to get up. He turned off the excavator and waited. Fortunately one of Jerome s colleagues knew that Jerome is sensitive to the heat and went checking on him. He found Jerome on time and helped him to get down the excavator. Pipeline constructions are done in hot regions and in summer! Construction workers with bad physical conditions are dangerous for their colleagues and themselves! They need a fast and effective way to communicate a sudden change of well-being!
Our Pocket Alamr In most cases of accidents fast help is life-rescuing. Sometimes, especially in hazardous working areas with limited view, accidents are discovered too late and the damage has already advanced. Our extensive research of accidents comes to the conclusion that first aid is the most crucial phase to limit damages and prevent lasting injuries. Our statistics show that searching and finding the injured person simply takes too long: But every second counts! MAX STREICHER was looking for possibilities to add security measures to already existing standards on our construction sites. We applied our best knowledge to the most critical problem and came up with this: A life-rescuing measurement! Our solution is the pocket alarm device: We now provide it to all our construction workers!
To turn on the light press the button. As long as the button stays pressed, the light will stay on. To activate the alarm remove the securing pin. The pin is attached to a string which activates the alarm. The battery can be renewed easily. To renew the battery open the battery compartment and exchange the old battery with the new one. Our warning system - a simple multipurpose device!
Construction site with limited view Workplaces which are difficult to track Hazardous activities Working in the construction pit and trenches or with bending machines. Workplaces which do not allow cell phones Workplaces with loud machinery Working Conditions Employee Benefits More secure workplace Fast help measures in case of emergency More comfort working on less secure activities More comfort working alone A possibility to warn the colleagues in case of risk Low initial investment and maintenance costs Better secured construction sites Fast help in case of accidents can safe lives and prevent severe damages Better employer image Better company reputation Employer Benefits
Use of our warning system on the pipeline construction site Earthworks and leveling Front end building Working on heavy machinery; excavators, bulldozers, trucks or cranes Working in trenches; lower end trenches and other working places with very limited view. Maintenance and repair works.
Our warning system also can be used When a warning for other construction workers is needed. To initiate an immediate stop of work. To call for help.
The Pocket Alarm was well received by our staff who carry the alarm device with them on every day of work.
Thank you for your attention!