IMCA provides lessons learned from an incident in which, a shore representative visiting the vessel experienced an electric shock after touching an electrical switch in the steering room.
What happened
Stop the Work authority was exercised; the electrical switch was immediately isolated and subsequently removed for investigation.
What went wrong
- The switch had been removed from the wall, but not re-installed, during maintenance;
- There had subsequently been engine room washing following major repairs, and the water ingress arose at that time;
- The switch had been unprotected and remained live, not isolated, during the engine room washing.
Lessons learned
- Ensure maintenance work is fully completed before returning equipment or systems to service;
- Arrange appropriate isolation and protection of electrical connections and switches during any washing or cleaning of an area
- Ensure all parts of the vessel electrical systems and equipment are regularly inspected and tested by a Competent Person and the results recorded in the Planned Maintenance System.
