This photograph shows metal supports that were installed after the incident to prevent the work platform from moving.

Date of incident: September 2019
Notice of incident number: 2019189800005
Employer: Transport company

Incident summary
A worker was pressure washing a rig access mat that was leaning upright against a large pole. The mats that were being cleaned weighed 500 kg to 1,000 kg (1,102 lb. to 2,205 lb.). The worker was standing on a raised mat placed on dunnage (lengths of loose wood) and used as a work platform. When another worker approached the work area in a loader, a fork of the loader inadvertently bumped the dunnage. The work platform was pushed forward into the upright mat, which fell onto the worker who was standing on the work platform. The worker sustained serious injuries.

Investigation conclusions

Cause

• Inadequate arrangement of work area. The arrangement of the work area did not prevent the upright mat from falling. The dunnage was protruding out past the mat being used as a work platform, which contributed to the loader inadvertently bumping the dunnage. No guarding was in place to prevent the work platform from being pushed into the upright mat that was being washed.

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