Experience Feedback
During routine maintenance of a fixed tank cleaning machine on a tanker, a crewmember removed all the nuts on the base studs, lifted the drive unit slightly and inserted the end of an open spanner (wrench) between the base flange and the drive unit to visually examine the working parts through the narrow gap.
During this operation, he had inadvertently placed his left middle finger near the wrench, under the base mounting of the drive unit. Suddenly, the spanner slipped out and the drive unit dropped on his finger, badly crushing it. The injured person was given immediate first aid and was off work for the next three days and was given shore medical treatment at the next port.
Root cause/contributory factors
1. Inappropriate tool used as temporary stopper device;
2. The task was not planned or assigned by the Chief Officer;
3. The crewmember decided to carry out this task on his own initiative and he did not conduct any risk assessment;
4. Crewmember did not follow the correct method of inspection as recommended in the maker’s service manual;
5. Lack of skills and overconfidence on part of the worker in his ability to undertake the task.
