Date: June 25, 1990 Info Alert # 4 INFORMATION ALERT HAZARD SUMMARY: CRITICAL INJURY - COLLAPSE OF BALES Several 700 pound bales of Nylon "Fluff" collapsed onto a worker causing serious injuries including a ruptured diaphragm, bruised lungs, bruising of the brain, and a broken pelvis and femur. The worker had entered a narrow aisle to read labels on bales. The bales, stacked 6 high, unexpectedly collapsed. LOCATION(S) AND SECTOR(S) WHERE HAZARD MAY BE ENCOUNTERED Manufacturing sector, warehousing, product storage areas where materials are stacked. APPLICABLE SECTION(S) OF INDUSTRIAL REGULATIONS This serious injury could have been prevented if the materials had been stacked properly as required by sections 49 and 50 of the industrial regulations. Subsection 49 (b) states that: "Material, articles or things, (b) shall be transported, placed or stored so that the material, articles or things, (i) will not tip, collapse or fall, and (ii) can be removed or withdrawn without endangering the safety of any worker;" Section 50 states: "Machinery, equipment or material that may tip or fall and endanger any worker shall be secured against tipping or falling." NOTE: "Information Alert" is produced by the Industrial Health and Safety Branch, Ministry of Labour for use by Ministry inspectors, health and safety associations and other interested groups or individuals in Ontario. The goal of this publication is to communicate hazard information as soon as it becomes available to prevent serious injury to workers. Reproduction and use of these alerts is encouraged.