The investigation determined that the removal of the lifter should be performed by two people or with mechanical help. At the time of the incident, the operator did not recognize the hazard of his hand placement.
The operator had never applied/removed the drum lifter before the incident.
There were no instructions for the use of the drum clamp and it is used infrequently.
This drum lifter design includes having the top bar being several inches above the drum so that it could be pushed over the top or lifted with a forklift.