Driller's off-sider injured while operating an exploration drill rig

The rod clamps on an exploration drill rig closed down onto the foot of a driller’s off-sider. Fortunately the off-sider did not sustain serious injuries as he was wearing steel capped boots.

The damaged boot

The driller released the foot clamp around the drill rods to raise them towards the top of the mast. The off-sider braced himself by placing his foot on the rod clamp guard to begin the removal of rods. When the rod clamp was closed the off-sider’s right foot was dragged down by the closing action of the rod clamps. This resulted in a tear behind the steel cap of the boot which nearly removed his big toenail.

Read more about the causes of this incident and the recommendations to prevent the hazard in this report compiled by the NSW Department of Primary Industries.