The Swedish P&I Club Monthly Safety Scenario for October 2014
The Swedish P&I Club published its Monthly Safety Scenario for October 2014 regardinga serious injury during cargo operation.The Swedish Club publishes on a monthly basis a new “Monthly Safety Scenario” (MSS) to assist owners in their efforts of complying with the maritime regulations.
A RoRo vessel was simultaneously loading andunloading containers and RoRo cargo on boththe main deck and weather deck.Stevedores were helping the crew to securethe cargo and driving the large forklifts andtrucks to take the cargo on and off the vessel.On the main deck an AB was ensuring thatthe twistlocks were secured correctly and on theweather deck was the bosun being assisted byanother AB.
The AB on the main deck was assisting the forklift and truck driver when they were unloading containers. When a container was removed by the stevedores the AB ensured that the twistlocks were removed.
Two 40″ containers were to be loaded onto a trailer but it was not a straightforward operation as there was limited space to manoeuvre the large forklift because of a stack of 20″ containers. It was difficult for the driver to get the forklift in position to lift the container.
The top container was to be lifted onto atrailer that was parked a bit further away onthe main deck. The forklift driver lined up andgot into position and lifted the top container.The driver looked behind to ensure nothing wasobstructing him. After he had reversed clear of thecontainer below he lowered the container so itwas just above the deck. This stabilised the hugeforklift but restricted the driver’s vision ahead asthe container obstructed the vision for everythingnearby the container.
The AB was standing away from the forkliftbeside the lower container, monitoring whatwas happening. The AB approached the forkliftto remove the twistlocks on the left side of thecontainer. He had to bend down to remove thetwistlocks on the deck.
The forklift driver manoeuvred the forklift inthe limited space he had at his disposal to get thecontainer onto the trailer. The forklift driver hadto clear a container stack and manoeuvre both abit forward and aft. Suddenly he hit the containerstack that was just in front of him.
Another stevedore screamed at him to stop. The forklift driver stopped and jumped out of the forklift. What he saw the AB lying unconscious on deck with blood coming from his mouth. He realised that he had hit the AB.
The stevedores immediately told the ChiefOfficer who contacted the authorities who sentan ambulance that arrived within a couple ofminutes. The 2nd officer was the first officer togive the AB first aid but he couldn’t find a pulse.
Source & Image Credit : The Swedish P&I Club/ Monthly Safety Scenario