IMCA Safety Flash 09/25
IMCA has published Safety Flash 09/25
Click here to download the IMCA Safety Flash here
MSF: Multiple LTIs – Vessel gangway fell from quay causing injuries
Four of the injuries were recorded as “over-seven-day injuries”, while one was classified as minor. Movement of the vessel on a tidal berth resulted in the vessel’s gangway resting partially over the quayside ladder void. As the five workers were ascending the gangway, the gangway moved from the quay wall, swinging back to the side of the vessel and dropping approximately 2-3 metres below the quay wall (images below). Consequently, the five workers fell, one of them, at the bottom of the gangway falling into the water, another being caught in the gangway netting and the other three falling onto the gangway itself. The worker in the water was recovered via the quayside ladder, first aiders attended the scene, three of the crew were sent to hospital and two sent home. There were subsequent discussions between port officials and the Chief Mate about the vessel and its crew.
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Transport Malta: fatality after steel plates fell onto crew member
On a vessel on passage, the electrician found the second engineer unconscious, trapped by steel plates in the steering gear compartment. The electrician raised the alarm, and together with other crew members, freed the second engineer and attempted to resuscitate him. The Master sought medical help from the authorities, and although two medical teams boarded the vessel by helicopter, they were unable to revive the second engineer.
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Electrical isolation: Failing to “prove dead” at the point of work
The principle of “proving dead” when working on electrical equipment, was not being followed at the point of work, at some worksites.
It was discovered some worksites are not proving dead at the point of work, only at the point of isolation, which can often be remote from the intended point of work. This increases the risk of serious injury or fatality due to potential errors occurring between the point of isolation and the intended workplace, and result in personnel inadvertently approaching an active system.
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Person injured when unsecured grating gave away
A worker sustained discomfort to the right shoulder and abrasions to the left leg when the grating they stepped on gave way, causing them to slip into grillage space, whilst holding onto lashings used as sea-fastenings. The incident occurred when the worker was positioned on the Multiple Reel Drive System (MRDS) steel rails while securing sea-fastening lashings. While holding a lashing, they stepped over a rail onto an external grating panel. The grating panel gave way, causing the individual to slip between the grating panels into the grillage space to deck (<1m) below.
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Unintended Cargo collision during lifting operations
During a backloading operation from one vessel to another, as cargo was being lowered onto the deck of the receiving vessel, the banksman signalled the crane operator to lower the hoist and disconnect the stinger. However, the other vessel experienced sudden rolling, causing the crane operator to adjust the winch to maintain the position of the main block. When the winch was lifted again, the cargo collided with and got stuck against other cargo on the main deck of the receiving vessel.
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