This summary is based on two separate incidents reported by a member to the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), highlighting hand injuries sustained while handling sharp objects during routine tasks onboard.
What Happened
Incident 1: A crew member sustained a finger injury while cutting duct tape that connected two halyards during maintenance. The cutting blade penetrated the glove and caused a laceration, which required medical treatment and stitches.
Incident 2: Another crew member suffered a severe hand injury while manually repositioning a package with a damaged metal rim on a pallet. Contact with the sharp rim caused a deep cut near the thumb, necessitating 12 stitches.
Why It Happened
Incident 1: The crew member placed his hand directly beneath the halyard, within the cutting zone. The halyard was not secured to a stable surface and was instead held in hand, increasing the risk of instability while cutting.
Incident 2: The crew member was not wearing appropriate hand protection while handling an item with a sharp, damaged edge. Despite recognizing the damage to the package, the crew member’s attention lapsed, leading to unsafe hand placement near the hazard.
Lessons Learned
- Always maintain a safe distance (30–40 cm) between hands and the cutting area.
- Never position hands underneath or near cutting blades.
- Use stable surfaces such as decks, bulwarks, or bulkheads when performing cutting tasks.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly gloves, must be worn during tasks involving potential sharp hazards. Discomfort is not a valid reason for non-compliance—alternative glove types should be sourced if needed.
- Inspect cargo, packages, and pallets for sharp or damaged edges before manual handling. Damage sustained during transport or storage may introduce hidden hazards.
Did you subscribe to our Daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: IMCA
