Fall in after peak tank

Corrective and preventative actions

After maintenance work was completed inside the after peak tank (APT), the second engineer entered the space to inspect and verify the work. The necessary pre-entry checks and entry/work permits were filled out and signed by the designated officers and the chief officer on the bridge was informed of the entry in the APT. Adequate lighting was provided inside the tank.

With the chief engineer monitoring the operation from outside the tank’s manhole, the second engineer entered the tank, and climbed down the vertical ladder leading down from the entrance to the first stringer flat, followed by the oiler.

As the second engineer stepped aside to make way for the oiler, he inadvertently stepped into the nearest lightening hole, lost his balance, and fell awkwardly on the stringer flat. He was able to extricate himself from the lightening hole, and exited the tank without assistance.

The incident was quickly communicated to the bridge and Master via the chief engineer, and the emergency team mustered rapidly at the site. The second engineer was then examined by the Master and the designated medical officer. The fall had inflicted some bruises on his torso. He was administered first aid and resumed normal duties after being assigned light work for a day.

Root cause/contributory factors

1. The lightening hole was located very close to the landing of the vertical ladder on the stringer flat;
2. Once he reached the first stringer flat, the second engineer failed to look around and note the nearby hazards before moving aside to make way for the oiler;
3. There was no arrangement to prevent personnel from stepping through the lightening hole (e.g. temporary cover or permanent welded bars);
4. The concept of ‘Take 5’ (a nominal five-minute pause to conduct an informal risk assessment / task review before commencing and during various stages of work) was not properly followed.

Corrective/preventative actions

1. A safety meeting was conducted by the Master to discuss this accident and to highlight the dangers involved while working in enclosed spaces;
2. A video on personal safety was viewed by all to refresh safety awareness;
3. This incident report has been shared with the fleet with additional reference to the section in the safety manual titled ‘Avoidance of slip and fall’;
4. All company ships have been instructed to weld suitable steel bars across redundant lightening holes situated close to access ladder landings inside tanks and other spaces.

Source: Mars/ Nautical Institute