Dangerous incident report- Resources Regulator Mine Safety (NSW Government)

Summary: A worker was installing scaffold about 11 m above the ground when a 1.5 m piece of scaffold was dropped. As it fell, it ricocheted down a staircase hitting a worker below on the ear. The worker was taken to hospital and received eight stitches to the wound.
While barricading was in place, it was only to protect the level immediately below the work area, not other levels below this.

Recommendations to industry: Before starting a task, when establishing drop zones the following should be considered:

• fall distance
• potential for ricochet
• method of barricading
• consultation with other work groups
• communication to other workers in the area
• assessment of timing of work to minimise exposure to the workers.