Defective hammer shaft
To support a new client policy, a company was changing over to the use of fibreglass shafts for all hammers over 2lbs. One of the first to be sent offshore was a 14lb hammer. Within a short period of use, the shaft showed signs of cracking just behind the head of the hammer. Use was stopped and the defect reported.
After discussion with the supplier and the client, all fibreglass handled hammers were withdrawn and the company involved has reverted to wooden shafts.
The company involved has restated the importance of taking care in the selection of tools, noting that the latest technology may not be necessarily better than tried-and-tested equipment. It reminds personnel that good pre-use inspection remains a critical requirement not to be ignored or bypassed.
Safety Event
Published: 2 July 2003
Download: 
IMCA SF 07/03
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