The Transport Malta has issued safety investigation report into the fatality of a crew member following a fall inside cargo hold on board the Maltese registered container vessel CORELLI on 30 November 2015.
The incident
On 30 November 2015, the Maltese registered container vessel Corelli, was underway from Fos, France to Cagliari, Italy for cargo operations as part of her scheduled trading pattern. One of the ship’s fitter who had entered the cargo hold no. 1 with a team of two other crew members to carry out scheduled maintenance works, fell from one of the stringers and was fatally injured after hitting hard onto the tank top inside the cargo hold.
Efforts by the crew members to resuscitate him right after the accident were unsuccessful. The deceased was landed ashore on the following day, upon the vessel’s arrival at the port of Cagliari, Italy.
The safety investigation concluded that the immediate cause of the accident was the (unintentional) close proximity of the crew member to the edge of the stringer, which had no protection.
Actions Taken
- Illumination – aimed to improve the lighting condition in situations when work in dark spaces is necessary;
- Quality – aimed to ensure that entry into enclosed spaces and work carried out inside is well addressed in the safety management system of the vessel;
- Technical – aimed to minimise the risks at the work site by the erection of physical barriers and adoption of symbolic barriers;
- Safety and First Aid – aimed to ensure adequate response to assist and provide medical care to injured crew members;
- Personal – aimed to ensure evaluation of personal records related to accidents which are suffered whilst serving on board; and
- Education – aimed to provide safety information to crew members, including during vacation leave periods (on line training). The action also includes vessel visits by Company auditors and information on risk prevention and operational health and safety
As a result of the safety actions taken by the Company, no recommendations have been made.
Further details may be found in the accident report herebelow
Source & Image credit: Transport Malta
