IMCA draws lessons learned from crew members that sustained injuries on two separate incidents relating to sharp objects.
What happened?
On the first incident, a deck crew member sustained a finger injury while cutting duct tape connecting two halyards during maintenance. The cutter blade sliced through the glove, resulting in a cut that required medical attention and stitches.
On the second incident, a crew member sustained a severe hand injury while manually adjusting a package with a damaged metal rim on a pallet. The sharp rim caused a deep cut near the thumb, requiring 12 stitches to stop the bleeding.
What went wrong?
On the first incident:
- Incorrect hand positioning: The crew member placed his hand directly beneath the halyard in the cutting zone rather than keeping it clear of the blade’s anticipated reach;
- Improper support method: The halyard was handheld instead of being placed securely on available surfaces such as the deck, bulwark, or bulkhead, increasing the risk of instability during the cutting process.
On the second incident:
- Failure to wear mandatory PPE: The crew member was not wearing suitable hand gloves, which are essential to protect against sharp edges during manual tasks;
- Lack of situational awareness: Despite noticing the damaged metal rim, the crew member lost focus during the task and inadvertently placed his hand near the sharp protruding edge, leading to the injury.
Credit: IMCA
Lessons learned:
- Know, understand and maintain safe hand positioning when handling sharp objects;
- Always grip objects to be cut with hands/fingers positioned at least 30–40 cm away from the blade’s operating area;
- Never place hands directly underneath or near the blade;
- Use a stable surfaces for cutting whenever possible;
- PPE – it is mandatory for a purpose – use it
- If the PPE is uncomfortable, look into obtaining a different or better kind – but it’s better to be uncomfortable than to need 12 stitches.
- Make a thorough inspection of cargo, boxes and packages for hazards. Damage during transport and storage may have caused hazards.
