Near-miss: Drawstring on storm jacket nearly drawn into rotating equipment

A company has reported a near miss incident in which the draw string on worker’s clothing was observed hanging close to a revolving spindle. The incident occurred on an offshore platform when a construction team were fitting pipe supports. Part of this task involved drilling holes through the deck plate with a magnetic drill. Owing to poor weather conditions, the crew were wearing ‘parka’ style storm jackets. One of the work party members noticed that the drawstring and toggle on the bottom the drill operator’s jacket was hanging very close to the revolving spindle of the magnetic drill. There was potential for the drawstring to be drawn into the tool causing injury to the operator.

He immediately stopped the job and the hazard was highlighted. The entire work party removed the drawstrings from their jackets and the hazard and intervention was shared with the rest of the crew. The intervention was further discussed at start of shift meetings and it was apparen’t that these lanyards could and had become snagged when climbing ladders and had got caught on plant and equipment etc. It was agreed that the drawstrings were impractical as their use on this type of jacket would restrict both leg movement and body positioning.

The following points were noted:

• The immediate cause of the incident was that long, ‘parka’ style storm jackets were supplied with a drawstring and toggles that could become snagging hazards. This was especially hazardous when using or working with rotating machinery or equipment;
• members should ensure their crews are aware of this form of hazard;
• As far as possible, alternative clothing without draw strings should be used.

Members may wish to refer to the following similar incidents (key words: clothing, caught):

• Machine guarding