Makeshift Work Stage Results in Serious Injuries
Two crewmen sustained serious injuries in the process of working aloft.
What serious incident caused these crewmen to become injured? On January 11, 2018, bulk carrier Berge Daisetsu was berthed in Portland, Victoria. A team of six crew members was cleaning and painting the cargo hold under the supervision of the chief mate. While the vessel did not have portable scaffolding equipment or approved suspended access platforms for this task, the master discussed other options with the chief mate and bosun for how the upper sections of the hold could be tended to.
The decision was made to jury-rig a portable gangway into a work stage which could then be suspended from the cargo crane hook via slings. The ship’s crew members had several discussions, made plans, and completed a risk assessment in accordance with the safety management system requirements. However, the equipment and machinery use was contrary to company policy and procedures.
As two crew members worked aloft on the platform suspended from the cargo crane, the crane’s block caught on the coaming and suddenly came free, sending an unexpected heavy shock into the platform. The two crew members were knocked over by the force of the sudden movement and landed heavily on their knees and lower body, causing serious injury.
Lessons learned from serious injuries
The ATSB (Australian Transport Safety Bureau) investigation found that the equipment and machinery were not suitable for the task, making hazard identification difficult, and exposed the workers to increased risk.
“This accident illustrates the consequence of deviating from accepted safety management procedures and industry best practice,” said ATSB Director Transport Safety Stuart Macleod.
“The use of machinery and equipment contrary to its intended purpose makes hazard identification difficult and exposes those directly involved to significantly increased risk.”
The investigation also found that the fall arrest equipment used was incorrectly attached to the workers on the suspended platform. Consequently, had either of them fallen from the platform, the equipment would not have worked correctly, resulting in serious or fatal injuries.
Revised practices to avoid further serious injuries
As a result of this serious incident, Berge Bulk Maritime has completed the supply of approved working aloft equipment to its geared bulk carriers and is progressing modification of vessel cranes for personnel lifting. Specific working aloft and bulk carrier safety training has been conducted and made mandatory for crewmembers every two years.
In addition, a fleet-wide assessment of safety maturity is progressing.
Source: ATSB; read the report: Serious injuries onboard Berge Daisetsu, Portland, Victoria on 11 January 2018.
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