UK MCA released guidance on mitigating the risk of serious injury from whole body vibration on small vessels.
To remind, Whole Body Vibration (WBV) and Repeated Shock (RS) injuries are a known issue of travelling on small vessels at high speeds. When they occur, they can be life-changing or even fatal.
Current research suggests there is no definitive design of craft or seating which is guaranteed to mitigate all the effects of WBV. There are, however, some basic principles which, if followed, may assist in reducing the effects and preventing further injuries.
Following the above, Julie Carlton, head of seafarer safety and health for UK Maritime Services, said:
Without the proper mitigation of vibration and shocks, workers on small vessels are at risk of chronic injury at low levels, and severe shocks can cause life-changing injuries to crew and passengers. This guidance is an important update to the safety precautions, to take on board the technology now available that could help.
Individuals at increased risk of injury from vibration and shocks
- When planning a voyage of any kind, the range of people on board should be considered, as some individuals are at increased risk of injury. Whilst every effort must be taken to allow all individuals to participate, in the interests of safety, in some cases, it may be necessary to refuse to allow certain people onboard the vessel or it may be necessary to adjust the voyage style to suit those onboard. This refers to both crew and passengers.
- Even with adjustment, people of certain body sizes may not be able to make effective use of the foot straps and handholds, and may be unable to maintain the necessary postural stability. Older adults may be at greater risk as they may be less mobile, and their bones can be more brittle.
- Operators should ask passengers whether they have any health condition for which the motions of the vessel may present a risk and then carefully consider their susceptibility to injury, adjust the voyage accordingly.
- Persons that have certain medical conditions, such as osteoporosis, may be more likely to be injured. Those that have been taking certain types of medication, such as steroids, may also be more susceptible to injury. Operators should consider how to mitigate risk to passengers and crew who are particularly vulnerable to injury. This includes, but is not limited to, people with blood circulatory diseases, musculoskeletal problems and pregnant, young or older people.
- Operators should make those using the vessel aware of the risks from exposure to repeated shock and whole body vibration. In some cases, it may be appropriate for operators to refuse to take certain people on a voyage, or for individuals to decide not to board the vessel.
- The reporting and monitoring of workers’ symptoms suspected to be due to vibration exposure can support operators in mitigating risk appropriately for individuals. Guidance on health monitoring for those at risk from whole body vibration, including the use of health monitoring questionnaires to monitor seafarers’ symptoms, is available on the Health and Safety Executive website.
