In a latest case examine reported by the Shipowners’ Membership, a routine rope-clearing activity aboard a fishing vessel turned catastrophic when an unguarded conveyor drum pulled in a crew member’s arm. The lapse in equipment security and communication in the end led to the extreme harm detailed within the report.
The Incident
While enterprise fishing operations, a conveyor belt carrying frozen fish turned blocked after a number of bins have been positioned inconsistently on the belt, inflicting one to jam in opposition to the aspect and the others to pile up. The belt was stopped by the crew to help in clearing the obstruction. As soon as the blockage was cleared, the crew returned to their respective workstations, within the processing space, to be able to resume working the conveyor line.
The 2nd Engineer, who was not concerned within the processing work however occurred to be strolling previous the conveyor belt, observed some items of rope caught on the conveyor drum. Noting the conveyer belt to be stopped, he tried to clear the items of rope by hand. Because the conveyor drum was unguarded, the 2nd Engineer was in a position to attain into the uncovered transferring components, an area that ought to have been bodily protected. At that second, unaware of the presence of the 2nd Engineer, the conveyor was restarted by one of many processing crew. This resulted within the arm of the 2nd Engineer being drawn into the unguarded drum, leading to a traumatic amputation of his left forearm.
The vessel diverted to the closest port the place the 2nd Engineer underwent emergency surgical procedure ashore. While the 2nd Engineer’s life was saved, the incident resulted within the everlasting lack of his arm.
Observations
The absence of guarding on the conveyor drum created a serious security hazard.
Though each day technical standing reviews to the workplace have been in place, no crew had beforehand raised this hazard. It seems the uncovered drum had turn into a routine sight on board and was due to this fact not recognised as a danger, reflecting a level of normalisation of deviance relating to this unsafe situation.
The 2nd Engineer confirmed an absence of situational security consciousness by trying to take away items of rope from the drum space with out confirming that the conveyor was safely remoted.
There was a breakdown in communication between the 2nd Engineer and the crew who have been working the conveyor.
Following the incident, a protecting defend was put in on the drum. This measure was adopted fleetwide.
This case underlines the important function of applicable equipment guarding, the enterprise of normal security inspections, clear communication and ongoing crew coaching/toolbox talks on areas such because the isolation of equipment throughout upkeep.
Suggestions
Set up Guards – Match protecting shields on conveyor drums and different rotating components of applicable equipment to forestall contact with transferring components.
Lock-Out/Tag-Out – At all times isolate and tag equipment earlier than engaged on them, both to hold out repairs or when performing upkeep.
Communication – Set up clear procedures requiring crew to inform the supervising officer or the crew member answerable for the equipment and acquire affirmation earlier than engaged on or close to equipment.
Hazard Consciousness, Inspections & Close to-Miss Reporting – Construct a robust security tradition the place all crew are inspired to determine unsafe circumstances, reminiscent of lacking guards, and report them promptly as close to misses or hazard observations. Members must also guarantee common inspections are carried out, so hazards are recognized and corrective actions applied fleetwide.
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Supply: The Shipowners’ Membership
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