An oiler working alone in the engine room was injured while attempting to move a heavy cylinder head. He was positioning the head for lifting with a chain block when the incident occurred, reports IMCA.
Identifying the Cause
Several factors contributed to the incident:
- Underestimation of Risk: The complexity and potential for injury were underestimated.
- Overconfidence: Prior experience led to overconfidence and the belief that the task could be done alone.
- Lack of Fall Protection: There was no barrier in place to prevent a fall from the elevated area.
- Improper Tool Use: The pipe used for leverage was too small and not fully inserted into the cylinder head hole.
- No Toolbox Talk: A pre-task safety discussion (toolbox talk) was not conducted to identify potential hazards.
Lessons Learnt
Key takeaways and actions to prevent similar incidents:
- Combat Complacency: Familiarity with a task should never lead to complacency. Always adhere to safety protocols, even for routine jobs.
- Buddy System: Avoid working alone when possible. Team up with a buddy for tasks that require it.
- Fall Protection: Barrier off elevated areas to prevent falls.
- Reinforce Toolbox Talks: Emphasize the importance of toolbox talks for all tasks, routine or non-routine. These pre-task safety discussions are crucial for identifying potential hazards and improving safety.
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Source: ICMA
