Location:
Queensland, Australia
Date/Time:
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Work Area:
Operator and Assistant Platform for Steriline Single Ram Hide Puller
Incident Description:
A sudden and catastrophic failure of the main cylinder supporting the carriage containing the operator and assistant platforms fell while in production. This resulted in the two operators falling with carriages from full height (approximately 2m).
Diagram/Photo:
Immediate Action:
- Area barricaded and the scene preserved.
- The cylinder was disassembled and inspected, the piston retaining nut threads found to be sheared.
- Notification to Workplace Health & Safety Queensland.
Initial Learnings:
- The cylinder had been refurbished by a third party.
- The piston nut was stripped completely of its threads.
- The hide puller was installed in 2000.
- Steriline Engineering have an OEM cylinder designed for the application that is fit for purpose. It is also possible to refurbish a cylinder.
Further Action:
- A metallurgical inspection of the cylinder elements has been commissioned.
- Liaison with client investigation team, Workplace Health & Safety Queensland where required and OEM cylinder manufacturer.
Action by All Sites
- Identify current stock and spares of the hydraulic cylinder to suit the hide puller – adopt recommended storage practices for hydraulic cylinders.
- If work has been carried out refurbishing the cylinder, remove it from available stock and contact Steriline for an approved repair/replacement.
- Implement an inspection program for hydraulic cylinders deployed into rise and fall platform applications. Label the cylinders to be returned to the OEM for repair or refurbishment to ensure that they are satisfactorily repaired.
- Typical cylinder life can be as much as 750,000 cycles before a rebuild is necessary. Replacing seals after 2 years is not uncommon. This is dependent on application, environment and maintenance practices.
More Information:
Please contact Steriline Engineering +61 8 8398 3133
Download the official printable copy of this SIA with further information