Experience Feedback
A disused washing machine was being lifted out of the engine room through the hatchway located on the main deck. The hatchway had a portable lid which was designed to be lifted and stowed clear by means of a portable davit fitted on one side of the coaming.
However, the crew assigned to this task decided to partially tilt the lid open and temporarily hold it at that angle by using a wire rope sling and chain block attached to the davit. The Junior Engineer (J/E) was on the main deck observing the operation.
As the lift was being prepared, the engine room alarm sounded. The J/E leaned over the open hatchway trunk to look into the engine room with his right hand resting on the coaming edge and his left hand taking the support of the partially open lid.
Suddenly, the hauling chain of the block parted and the lid fell down, striking a glancing blow to his head and trapping his right hand. He sustained a deep cut on his scalp (not wearing helmet) and multiple compound fractures to his right hand.
He was given first aid onboard and repatriated urgently for extensive restorative surgery ashore. It is likely that he may have permanent deformity and disability in his right hand.
Root cause/contributory factors
1. Improper and very unsafe method of opening and holding hatch lid;
2. No risk assessment or tool box talk was conducted before commencing the task;
3. The lifting arrangement and points of attachment were not assessed for condition, stresses and adequate capacity;
4. None of the crew present recognised the obvious dangers arising from the wrong working practices employed.
Corrective/preventative actions:
1. Casualty administered first aid onboard and later repatriated for emergency medical treatment;
2. Defective chain block permanently removed from use;
3. Hatch lid modified to incorporate safer lifting and permanent fail-proof securing arrangements;
4. Incident discussed onboard at safety meetings held on all company vessels, with instructions to ensure that:
- Prior carrying out any task, a proper risk assessment is conducted and recorded;
- A toolbox meeting is conducted and all potential hazards, risks, safeguards discussed and recorded;
- Ship’s staff is trained in hazard identification techniques and encouraged in the use of “STOP WORK” action and to report all unsafe situations, and also to report incidents and near misses;
- The proper PPE is in use at all times;
- All lifting gear and accessories have test certificates, are regularly inspected and properly maintained, permanently marked and recorded;
- Work is done safely and methodically without taking shortcuts;
- All defective/uncertificated/untested equipment is permanently removed;
- All hatch lids, doors and closures that could cause injury or damage have permanent securing arrangements and are used appropriately;
- Missing or damaged securing devices are replaced immediately;
- Trainees are supervised and mentored at all times.
Source: Mars/Nautical Institute
