IMCA Safety Flash SF 29/23
IMCA Safety Flash SF 29/23
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Line of fire near miss during lifting operations 
What happened
A member of the deck crew member put themselves in the line of fire during landing of a structure on the back deck of a vessel. The installation aids (bumper bars) were insufficient to stabilise the load, resulting in the structure being landed narrowly missing the individual, and damaging an adjacent container. The bumper bars were a critical barrier for keeping the banksman safe on the walkway but as they were not spaced far enough apart for the structure, they allowed a rotational movement of the load.
Failure of personal isolation procedures: crane damaged when it was used inappropriately 
What happened?
On a vessel in dry dock, a crane, which had been isolated for many days for work to be conducted by a third party, was used by crew unaware that the crane was out of use for maintenance. The crane was damaged as a result, leading to increased maintenance time and cost.
Failure of personal isolation procedures: crane damaged when it was used inappropriately
Two hand injuries 
What happened
A member reports two hand injuries.
Incident 1
As a Pilot climbed the vessel’s access hatch to the under-deck passage, his backpack straps entangled with the hatch retaining bar. A sudden release of the hatch caused it to abruptly close, causing pain and swelling to the Pilot’s right-hand knuckle.
LTI – Finger crush whilst operating safety gate 
What happened
A crew member got his finger trapped in a hinged fall protection bar on a crane pedestal platform, causing a serious injury. The crew member was climbing the main crane vertical ladder; when he reached the top of the ladder, he used his right hand to raise the hinged fall protection bar to gain access to the crane pedestal platform. He kept his right hand on the bar until it was at 180 degrees, trapping his finger between the bar and the handrail.
Worker cut hand on broken mirror 
What happened
A crew person on a vessel sustained a deep cut on the left thumb while attempting to repair a broken mirror. The mirror had shattered because the closet (bathroom) door in his cabin had fallen off the hinges. The person had reported to the Chief Officer that the closet door in his cabin had become detached. The Chief Officer instructed the person to wait while he organized deckhands to assist in fixing the closet door. While the Chief Officer was on the deck coordinating with the deckhands, the person returned to his cabin. Shortly thereafter, he came back to the deck with a deep cut on his left thumb and promptly informed the Chief Officer about the injury. The Chief Officer administered immediate first aid and subsequently arranged for medical attention through an authorized medic.
