Hong Kong Merchant Shipping informs about an incident where a Wiper was found lying on the scrap metal cargo inside a cargo hold and despite the treatment he received, he was declared dead on the same day.
The incident
A fatal accident happened on board a Hong Kong registered bulk carrier loaded with scrap metal during her voyage from its loading port of Vancouver, USA to Nghi Son, Vietnam for cargo discharging. The Wiper was assigned to assist the 4/E in overhauling the pump in the purifier room of the engine room.
He left the 4/E after the motor from the pump had been detached so as to carry out his next job without informing other crew members on board. He
was seen carrying a bucket of tools proceeding towards the forecastle direction by other crew members on deck.
The Wiper was later found lying on the scrap metal cargo beside the vertical ladder in a cargo hold.
Although the Wiper was rescued from the cargo hold and received treatment immediately, he was declared dead on the same day.
Probable cause
The investigation revealed that the Wiper did not follow the enclosed space entry procedure when entering a cargo hold.
The main contributory factors causing the accident were:
- insufficient safety awareness of the Wiper who underestimated the risk of entering cargo hold;
- failure to lock the cargo hold access hatch;
- ineffective communication of the crew to prepare for jobs;
- lack of close supervision of the Wiper and ineffective training of enclosed space entry procedure.
Lessons learned
In order to avoid recurrence of similar accidents in the future, all masters, officers, and crew of vessels should:
- enhance training on enclosed space entry, including the awareness of the risks involved and the precautionary measures;
- lock all entrances of all unattended dangerous spaces to prevent unauthorized entry;
- ensure all crew members follow the safety requirements strictly when entering enclosed space; and
- ensure close supervision of the work of a wiper by his supervisor.
