STEP CHANGE FOR SAFETY GLOBAL SHARING NOV 2013 - SLIPS, TRIPS & FALLS | Page 10

SLIPS

TRIPS

How many slips are caused by people moving around
slippery or greasy decks, possibly wearing
inappropriate footwear? The answer is a large number,
almost all of which could have been avoided with
forethought and proper controls. But decks do get
slippery! Of course they do, but in locations like
mooring decks on the forecastle or poop, non-slip paint
can make a huge difference to traction when handling
ropes around drum ends, or simply moving about.

Walking about a ship, how many trip hazards can be
identified? All too often obstructions like ringbolts, lugs
or sills will be found in a direct line where somebody
needs to walk to get from A to B. It may not say much
for the designers of the ship, but ‘human element
design’ has come along only recently! And one do the
same walk around after dark, and discover that lighting
around these obstructions may be inadequate!

Isn’t non-slip paint expensive? The simple expedient of
stirring sand into deck coatings works wonders, if
special non-slip paint is unavailable. If decks are
greasy, or liquids have been spilt, a sensible control is
to wash them down, before somebody falls over and
hurts themselves! Precautions, housekeeping, good
procedures – all make a difference, as well as the
exercise of sensible seamanship by individuals.