In its latest cargo claims review, the Swedish Club informs of a fatal accident of a stevedore, that was caused because of lack of safety measures when working in the vessel’s cargo hold. After two stevedores finished their job in a cargo hold, they had to climb a vertical ladder, a spiral staircase and another vertical ladder to exit the cargo hold. Finally, one of the stevedores died by falling from the last ladder, as he climbed it with one hand and didn’t wear a safety harness.
Two stevedores were doing their job in the cargo hold for more than 12 hours, as they had started their shift from the previous evening.
In order to exit the cargo hold, they had to firstly climb up a vertical ladder and then go up a spiral staircase and for the last 2.5 metres they had to climb another vertical ladder to get out of the cargo hold.
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Both stevedores had along a thermos and a tea cup. The cup didn’t fit the first stevedore’s boiler suit pocket so he held it in his hand instead. He easily climbed the spiral staircase.
However, when he reached the last platform, there was still the vertical ladder to climb up. As he used only one of his hands to climb the ladder, he slipped and fell down. He didn’t wear a safety harness and resulted to falling 20 metres, at the bottom of the cargo hold.
After that, the second stevedore shouted for help, which the bosun heard. The Chief officer got immediately called at the scene of the incident.
In addition, the Chief Officer assembled a rescue team with a stretcher and gave the stevedore first aid.
Although an ambulance arrived shortly after the incident and lifted the man out of the cargo by a crane, the stevedore declared dead when arrived at the hospital.
Later on, it was found that there was a missing steel bar from one of the lower railings at the beginning of the spiral ladder. The railing was most likely damaged during the loading by one of the crane grabs, or an excavator as it was covered by cargo when it arrived at the discharge port.
Lessons Learned:
- Working at height should be addressed in the risk assessment, along with details of the safety measures that need to be taken.
- The risk assessment should state if the specific job requires a work permit.
- Each company should decide if it is risky to enter the cargo hold on a vertical ladder without a safety harness attached.
- The stevedore, in the specific incident, perceived the risk at that time.
- It is safer to use both hands when climbing a ladder.
- It would be beneficial to have a tool box with the stevedores’ supervisors to explain what is required of the stevedores when working on board.
- It is crucial that the Chief Officer highlights the importance of complying with wearing a safety harness.
- After loading and discharging, the Chief Officer should inspect the ladders to ensure they have not been damaged during the cargo operation.
Concluding, this accident highlights the minimal effort it takes to do a job safely, and the consequences of not making that effort.
