Huddle script
On June 8, 2024, two workers were cleaning a drainpipe in Port St. Lucie, Florida. OSHA reported that a pressurized pipe plug became over-inflated and exploded, fatally injuring one worker. OSHA cited the employer for failing to develop and implement safe installation and removal procedures and train workers on them. Before similar work, let's review the task, the procedures and training, and any gaps that need attention. OSHA incident report
Comprehension check: What happened to the pressurized pipe plug in the incident? It became over-inflated and exploded.
Discussion questions
Adapt these planning prompts to your work. OSHA recommends considering elimination or substitution and engineering solutions first, then safe work practices and administrative controls, and finally personal protective equipment. Involve workers in choosing and evaluating controls. OSHA hazard prevention guidance
- Where might our field or office work involve planning, arranging or using pneumatic pipe plugs?
- With the workers involved, what options could eliminate or substitute the task, or use engineering controls? What safe work practices, administrative controls and PPE are needed for the remaining hazard?
- Confirm how workers can stop work and report a concern without retaliation; who can clarify the procedure if it is unclear?
Actions and follow-through
Adapt this checklist to the task; these are proposed actions, not findings about the incident.
- Identify planned pipe plug installation and removal tasks and review the applicable procedures and worker training before work.
- For any gap, agree on an owner with authority to act and a target completion date; record how progress will be tracked.
- After controls are implemented, check with workers whether they are in place and effective.
Owner and due: Who will address each gap, and by when? Close the loop: How will the team learn what was completed or remains open? Verification: Are the selected controls in place and effective right now? OSHA hazard prevention guidance