Safety Bulletin: Incident Review – Wrist Injury While Drilling
A team member recently sustained a right wrist injury while drilling a hole in tube steel. The injury occurred when the drill suddenly bound up on the second hole, causing the tool to twist unexpectedly and pull the team member’s wrist with it. The investigation into the incident revealed that the drill bit was not properly aligned with the second hole, which resulted in uneven contact and binding of the drill. This misalignment occurred because the team member had limited access to the opposite side of the tube steel, making it difficult to position the drill bit correctly.
Further analysis showed that the step drill bit used was not able to fully reach the second hole due to an obstruction caused by a mounting tab. This tab was in the way and should have been removed before drilling, as it prevented the team member from properly aligning the drill and completing the task safely. Without clear access, the risk of the drill binding and twisting increased significantly.
This incident highlights the importance of preparing the work area properly before starting a task. Removing obstacles like mounting tabs that can obstruct the drill’s path is essential to ensure proper tool access and alignment. In future operations, workers should inspect the workpiece thoroughly and make necessary adjustments, such as removing obstructions, to prevent similar incidents. Additionally, proper tool selection, task planning, and attention to access restrictions can greatly reduce the risk of injury when drilling or working with power tools.
