से फ़्टी अलटट / SAFETY ALERT
OISD/SA/2021-22/POL/04
Dt.: 27/08/2021
INTRODUCTION
Title
: Accident while working with Hydra
Location
: POL Installation
Activity
: Shifting of pipelines using a hydra
Loss/ Outcome
: One casualty
INCIDENT
At around 16:43 hrs., temporary workers engaged for pipe line works for additional tankage, were
involved in shifting of pipes using a hydra. Due to rope entangling with his leg, one of the worker
fell down on the road and as a result, the hydra’s front wheel hit his left thigh causing fracture and
bleeding. Subsequently, he was taken to hospital at 16:50 hrs. and was conscious. However,
during treatment, he was said to have had a heart attack. Despite attempt by doctor to save him,
he died in the hospital.
OBSERVATIONS
 4 to 7.69 m long pipes were being shifted and the road width was 4.3 m. The pipes were tied
and hanged in the front hook of the hydra. The pipes were guided by two persons (at front and
back) holding guiding ropes while walking ahead of the moving hydra. The hydra, pipes and
both the workers were moving in the forward direction.
 At the time of accident, the victim was walking just ahead of the right front wheel of the hydra
and as a result, he was in close proximity to the right front wheel of the hydra. One of the guide
rope end, which was tucked in the pipe, fell and leg of the victim got entangled in the rope.
 It was also observed during simulation that the brakes of the hydra were not fully effective on
emergency braking.
 Engineering works were going on at several work fronts. The site engineer and third party
engineer were supervising other jobs. No supervisor was present at the site to monitor the
pipes shifting activity.
 Job Safety Analysis (JSA) was carried out for shifting of pipes. However, risk associated with
shifting of pipes using the hydra was not covered specifically.
This Safety Alert is based on the Investigation report submitted by industry and published for information purpose only. This
information should be evaluated to determine if it is applicable in your operations, to avoid recurrence of such incidents.
ROOT CAUSE
 Negligence on the part of both the hydra driver and the worker involved in the incident. The
victim did not inform the driver to stop the hydra after the rope end had fallen down. The hydra
driver also did not advise him to keep distance from the front wheel of the hydra.
RECOMMENDATIONS
 Hydra should not be used for transportation long/ bulky materials. For transportation of such
materials trolley/ trucks to be used.
 JSA to be prepared in detail encompassing all probable hazards associated with the job and
their mitigation measures.
 Job specific tool box talk pertaining to the day’s activity to be conducted and ensured instead
of repeated general points.
This Safety Alert is based on the Investigation report submitted by industry and published for information purpose only. This
information should be evaluated to determine if it is applicable in your operations, to avoid recurrence of such incidents.