Mars Report 2012 – Experience Feedback
The Nautical Institute has issued Mars Report 2012- 45 regarding Fall injury during crane maintenance as follows:
Planned maintenance of the provision crane was in progress on a tanker which was anchored in slight sea conditions. Before commencing the work, the Bosun and the two assigned crew held a toolbox meeting. A working aloft permit was issued prior to commencing the task and the assigned team donned proper PPE. They raised the electro-hydraulic crane jib from its stowing crutch (located on the funnel casing), and, with its jib fully extended, slewed it forward to fully span over the bridge deck. For access, they rigged a portable 6-metre aluminium ladder from the bridge deck to reach the jib girder.
With the top section of the ladder secured to the crane jib, the A/B ascended to the top rung of the ladder and attempted to pass the fall restraining line of his safety harness around the crane jib. Due to the large dimensions of this section of the jib girder, the A/B had to lean out from his precarious perch to grab the free end hook of the line. Suddenly, the ladder became unstable, and the A/B lost his balance.
With no restraining line attached to the crane, he fell off the ladder and landed heavily on the deck. The Bosun and the second A/B attended to the injured person immediately, who was unconscious for a few minutes. He continued to breathe, and after regaining consciousness, his responses were normal and he could move all limbs except his right arm. Apart from concussion, and suspected fracture of right elbow, there appeared to be no other internal or external injuries. The emergency team removed the casualty to the ship’s hospital, where it was noticed that his blood pressure was low and he was showing signs of dizziness and body tremors. On radio medical advice, a launch was arranged to transfer the casualty to a shore hospital and an accident report was sent to the designated person (DPA) in the shore management office.
Results of investigation
1 A proper risk assessment was not conducted due to perceived lack of time;
2 During the toolbox meeting, the Bosun explained the precautions to the assisting crewmembers;
3 It was considered that there was sufficient number of crew assigned for the job and they had all donned proper PPE;
4 The work team was sufficiently rested before starting the work;
5 It was established that working on the crane jib from a portable ladder was patently unsafe and a safer access to the jib was available by slewing the jib over the adjacent compass (monkey island or flying bridge) deck;
6 It was determined that if the other A/B had positioned himself on the crane jib girder by climbing on to it from the crane pedestal, he could have safely secured the casualty’s lifeline.
View more information at Mars Report 2012-45 Fall injury during crane maintenance
Source: Mars/Nautical Institute
