Lessons learned

During the routine transfer of radioactive waste containers at a waste disposal trench, an improperly balanced waste container fell from a forklift. The situation could have resulted in serious injury if the container had struck a worker and the container could have been damaged, resulting in radiological contamination.

Normally, containers are moved one at a time, but this time the driver was attempting to move two at once and miscommunication with the spotter contributed to the accident. When the driver asked the spotter if everything was okay, he said yes, assuming the driver knew what he was doing. The driver admitted he should have only lifted one container at a time while the spotter said he should have stopped the lift. Both workers exhibited a certain level of complacency, which was a major cause of the accident.

Lessons learned:

* Remind workers that routine tasks require attention to safety and that complacency reduces safety consciousness.
* Train operators and spotters to communicate with formal words and signals, and encourage spotters to always notify operators of their concerns.