Ice Delivery Operations (for Fishing Vessels)
Date of Issue: July 19, 2005
Hazard Summary
While delivering ice into the hold of a fishing vessel, a worker drowned after being struck by the ice sliding from the back of a truck.
The worker had been in the truck body standing on approximately 2 feet of the ice being delivered. With the truck body tilted upwards to help in the delivery, the ice from the front of the truck suddenly released, striking him in the legs and chest area.
The truck body side rails or tailgate did not protect the worker because he was standing on the ice surface and was thrown into the water.
Style of truck typically used to deliver ice - note the low tailgate
An investigation by the Occupational Health and Safety Division of Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education found:
- The processed ice may have stuck to the truck body due to: 1) natural ice may have been stuck on the surface of the truck body causing the processed ice to stick as well, 2) weather conditions may have caused freezing of the processed ice contributing further to it sticking, and 3) a time delay, required to boost the truck after a stall, may have also contributed to the ice sticking
- The truck driver had to raise the truck body higher so the processed ice would move
- When the processed ice suddenly broke free it did so as one large piece and struck the employee in the legs and chest area
- The additional height from standing on the ice surface contributed to the worker not being protected by the side rails or tailgate
- In the fall from the truck body, the worker struck his head on the boat rail and possibly the wharf
- Coworkers could get the worker's head out of the water, but were unable to pull him out completely until additional help arrived
Preventive Measures
The investigation identified the following preventive measures:
- Businesses involved in the delivery of processed ice to fishing vessels should do a thorough risk assessment. Preventive measures for such hazards as slipping and falling need to be determined
- Using a fall protection system like a harness and lanyard would prevent falling over the side of the truck, but does not prevent a possible strike or crush injury from the bulk ice suddenly shifting
- Standing on or near a pile of bulk material that could suddenly loosen and endanger the worker requires a written work procedure
- If a worker is exposed to the risk of drowning a personal flotation device conforming to CGSB Standard CAN/CGSB-65.11 M88, or an alternative means of protection providing and equivalent level of safety, will be worn.
Addition of stainless steel rail on the tail gate
Note
Employers must consider the following relevant statutory sections:
13(1)(f) of the Occupational Heath and Safety Act - Every employer shall take every precaution that is reasonable in the circumstances to conduct the employer's undertaking so that employees are not exposed to health or safety hazards as a result of the undertaking.
Section 7(1) of the Fall Protection and Scaffolding Regulations - Where a person is exposed to the hazard of falling from a work area that is 3m or more above the nearest safe surface or water; (i) the person shall wear a fall arrest system that includes a full body harness, a lanyard and an anchor point and that otherwise complies with Section 8; (ii) a guardrail shall be provided that meets the requirements of Section 9.
Section 14 of the Occupational Safety General Regulations - Where a person is exposed to the risk of drowning, an employer shall provide and ensure the use of a personal flotation device conforming to CGSB CAN/CGSB-65.11 M88, or an alternative means of protection providing and equivalent level of safety, will be worn.
Section 26 of the Occupational Safety General Regulations - Where the lifting or moving of a thing or person may be a hazard to the health and safety of a person at the workplace, an employer shall ensure that; (a) adequate and appropriate equipment for the lifting and moving is provided; and (b) training and instructions as to the appropriate method of performing the lifting and moving is provided in accordance with the equipment manufacturer's instructions, or ..... in accordance with adequate work methods and lifting and moving techniques.