Investigation report issued by ATSB
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) issued recently the report of its investigation of a crew member fatality following a fall on board a bulk carrier at sea on 2 February 2011.
Investigation revealed that the bosun fell into a cargo hold when he lost his balance while standing on the hatch coaming. He was attempting to free a cargo runner that had jammed in the head of a davit the crew was using to lift iron ore residue from the hold.
The davit had been in use for several years and jammed not infrequently. Normally, the davit would be swung back over the deck before clearing the jam. It is not known why the bosun elected to climb onto the hatch coaming on this occasion.
No formal safety assessment regarding use of the davit on this ship had been done.
To view the report, click here.
Source: ATSB