IMCA provides lessons learned from an incident in which a person was descending the fixed ladder of a carousel manhole. He lost his footing on the last three rungs, approximately 87 cm from the flooring.
The incident
Falling backward, his helmet came off, and his head struck the edge of a steel structure and he was injured. Immediate medical attention was provided on board by the ship’s medic. A follow-up medical assessment was subsequently organized ashore, where he received stitches.
Possible causes (as indicated by the member)
- Inattention: Misjudgement of the remaining steps while descending the ladder contributed to the slip;
- Improper PPE Use: The IP did not properly secure the chinstrap of his safety helmet, causing it to fall off during the incident;
- Inadequate Working Environment: Poor lighting at the bottom of the carousel manhole may have contributed to the incident;
- Lack of Signage: No signage was present to indicate the mandatory use of safety harnesses for work in the carousel’s manhole.
Actions taken
- Improved lighting in the area;
- Be aware of your working environment and keep a focus when you are moving – watch out for complacency;
- Ensure that all PPE, especially the helmet, is worn and secured correctly.
