STEP CHANGE FOR SAFETY GLOBAL SHARING NOV 2013 - SLIPS, TRIPS & FALLS | Page 6

GLOBAL SHARING MONTHLY NEWSLETTER – DEC. 2013 – SLIPS, TRIPS & FALLS

FINGER FRACTURED FROM FALL – FAULTY FOOTWEAR
WHAT HAPPENED -

Having prepared breakfast, mess man was walking down the stairs
wearing the slippers to take some provisions from refrigerator room. Suddenly he slipped down on the
stairs and fell on his hands unconsciously. This caused his middle finger of left hand fractured. After
berthing, he went to hospital to check his condition and doctor commented that he shall be on operation
and of extra care without work for the time being.

WHY DID IT HAPPEN –

1) Due to lack of precaution on the passage, he couldn’t
recognize potential hazard of slide. It is necessary to warn potential hazard at any place injury accident
m ay occur and make crews be well aware of any danger and precaution prior to accidents.
2) He was not wearing proper PPE for the relatively low risk working place like galley.

LESSON LEARNED –

Dangers lurk even in routine daily chores, be Properly

Protected Everywhere. Take ownership for your own safety and save the pain,
suffering to those around you – BE SAFE.

DECK DROP DISCOMFORTS DECKHAND
WHAT HAPPENED –

Pump-man slipped on steps and fell down on deck with his back left
side. While he was working on poop deck greasing watertight doors, vent flaps around accommodation and
after complete greasing one of the vent flap he forgot the brush used for greasing on top of vent and while
trying to recover the brush slipped on the steps and fell down on deck from a height of about 80 cm. Bosun
saw him and C/O & Master were informed and first aid admitted. He feels an acute pain in the left side of
back on the shoulder blade area, especially during a deep breathing, also at first when he started to cough,
very small traces of blood comes up in the sputum and after a while it stopped.
We sent him to stay in bed in a comfortable and stable position and we’ve given ibuprofen as medication for
pain relief. He had pain on the back when breathing or when moving left arm; pulse, blood pressure was in
normal range and no fever noticed.

WHY DID IT HAPPEN – The pump-man was experienced and had done the work before.
This time though, he decided to take a shortcut and retrieve the brush forgotten on top of the vent flap. Lack
of attention or rushing to get the brush or greasy steps may have caused him to fall.

LESSON LEARNED –

Accidents happen when you least expect them and
mostly during routine jobs where your alertness is low and guards are down.

INEXPERIENCED INTERNS INDUCE INJURY
WHAT HAPPENED –

Vessel was at shipyard dock and various repair/maintenance works were in progress
including shore workers onboard. After lunch around 1300 Hrs, First Engineer ordered Electrical Cadet, Engine Cadet and
Wiper to open a deck plate consisting 3 steps ladder from E/Room 2nd Floor to facilitate lifting Main Engine air cooler from
E/R bottom floor to 1st floor by using E/R traveling crane. From 1320 to 1440 said crew opened all bolts of the deck plate (with
3 step ladder) at 2nd floor. At 1440 First Engineer was standing right below at bottom floor, when accidentally the deck plate
fell from 2nd Floor to Bottom Floor touching 1/E’s face and cutting the upper lip resulting in instant bleeding.
1/E was sent to hospital where he received 3 stitches on his upper lip and send back to the ship same day with seven days
bed rest given.

WHY DID IT HAPPEN – 1. First Engineer delegated the job to two Cadets and a Wiper – all of whom have
minimum sea service experience.
2. Formal Risk Assessment not carried out nor discussed with the team, the potential hazards associated, especially opening
a slanted corrugated plate (3 steps ladder) weighing minimum 50 Kgs, which may fall to the next floor 6 meters below.
3. No chain block or rope being used to prevent fall of the opened plate.
4. First Engineer was standing below guarding the area to prevent other workers being injured exposing himself to danger
.5. No protective fence or guard rope was laid around potential danger zone at bottom floor.

LESSON LEARNED –

Physical barriers are better than personal barriers as this case shows.
Critical jobs require supervision and cannot be left to inexperienced crew members. A pre-work risk
assessment would have exposed the flaws in this activity and mitigating actions could have
prevented an injury.

29 November 2013

A Shell Marine Contractors Safety Initiative

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