Recently, one of our sockets exploded while loosening a bolt using a HyTorc hydraulic wrench. No one was injured, but we take these incidents seriously, generating a “Near Miss” report and subsequent corrective action.

We discussed exploding sockets in a previous Safety Tip, which you can review in the May 8, 2012 post (see below). Since that post, we purchased TorcUp sockets for all our tool sets, and sprayed them yellow to make sure they were exclusively used with our HyTorc heads. One of these dedicated sockets broke under load. Please comment (below) on additional steps we can take for our corrective action.  We need your experience and expertise.

Additional information: The broken socket was less than a year old.  It was a 1” drive, 1 5/8” 12 point socket under an 8000 PSI load.  We chose TorcUP sockets as they were the middle of the road in pricing of the three vendors we reviewed (one was HyTorc).

All of us face similar safety concerns in our operations. If you would like one of your concerns discussed in this forum, please contact us via Mr. Turbine (click here) and we will start the conversation in our next newsletter. We will not share your contact info but you can also post anonymously.  Mr. Turbine will be happy to give an immediate response if you request it, but of course we must have your correct info.

Back pain constitutes about 10% of occupational injuries and is the most common reason to take leave from work.  Each year about $50 billion is spent on treatment in The U.S. alone, making it the third most expensive condition after heart disease and cancer. With this in mind, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure (pun intended). Before lifting an object of unknown weight, perform several trial lifts using gradually increasing effort.  Do not attempt to lift an object that you cannot confidently handle. Always identify the path you will be taking with the load and clear away all obstacles. Use proper gear for every lift. Wear shoes with good traction and solid gripping gloves which will help you to hold the object for a longer period of time.

Avoid standing too far from the load as it might not provide you the needed grip to hold the object properly. Align yourself properly over the load with your feet and shoulders wide apart. This will give you the exact balance needed to hold the load while lifting it. Never bend at the waist and lift an object with your back. Keep your upper body straight and parallel with your lower legs. Grab the item and push up with your legs, not with your back. Never rotate or twist your body while lifting. Keep your head up when handling the load. Look ahead, not down at the load once it has been held securely. Make sure you lift with a slow, steady force. This will help you avoid muscle strains from having to counter an unbalanced load. Take smooth and small strides to avoid muscle strain from overcompensating for shifting loads. For heavier loads, try lifting with your full breath, and tighten your abdominal muscles for added support. For long lifts, such as from floor to shoulder height, consider resting the load mid-way on a table or bench to change your grip on it.  Always use a lifting belt or back brace if preforming multiple lifts. Don’t lift or handle more than you can easily manage. There’s a difference between what people can lift and what they can safely lift. If at all possible, get help.  Lift with a buddy or use a mechanical lifting device such as a crane, chain fall or a jack.