A recent IMCA Safety Flash focuses on an incident in which, the injured person was trying to remove a 35 tonne SWL shackle from the pennant eye, during a pennant wire spooling operation, to provide lessons learned.
The incident
While trying to jiggle the shackle, it landed on his left middle finger causing a crush injury 1.5cm long.
What went wrong
- The task supervisor (the Bosun) saw the crew person holding the shackle but did not warn him or intervene;
- There was no last minute risk assessment carried out;
- The shackle as initially used was the wrong size.
Lessons learned
- The task supervisor is in charge to control the operation, ensure it is safely conducted, and that the proper tools are used. It is the responsibility of the task supervisor to intervene;
- Use appropriate tools such as crow bars and hammers to release heavy shackles, rather than your hands. Do not expose your hands by handling heavy items.
