During a search and rescue training in our multi-story training mezzanine/tower, a firefighter was struck in the chest by a halligan bar that had fallen from the second story mezzanine level down to the tower floor. The halligan was set against an open railing while resetting the rescue randy dummy for the next evolution. The dummy bumped into the halligan, knocking it through the railing. Another firefighter, seeing the tool fall, yelled to the members below to watch out. The tool flipped and fell adze/pick end first, with the pick striking the firefighter in the chest. The injured firefighter was not directly involved in the training exercise at the time and was not wearing his helmet and was in normal station wear. It’s interesting to note that the injured firefighter looked up upon hearing the warning and, had he not, the tool would’ve likely struck him on top of his head instead of his chest. The impact ripped through his button down shirt and t-shirt simultaneously. Luckily, the firefighter suffered only minor injuries, some mild bleeding initially with bruising and a scar noted afterward.
Lessons :Wear your PPE where applicable. At any point on the training ground, a minimum of helmet and gloves should be worn. Those not directly involved in a training evolution (i.e. members on-deck for the next exercise, helpers, etc.) are still at risk for falling objects when crews are operating above them. Provide fall protection for open railings in training towers. We have since placed sections of chain link fence, secured to the railing, at every landing. Also, secure your tools in such a manner that reduces the chance that they will fall if accidentally moved or hit.
