This Safety Alert serves as a critical reminder to vessel owners, operators, and crewmembers that the operation of powered industrial equipment, such as forklifts, demands proper training and experience to avoid severe injuries or fatalities onboard vessels, reports the U.S. Coast Guard.
About the incident
A recent incident aboard a roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessel resulted in two crewmembers suffering serious head injuries when an inexperienced forklift operator collided with an overhead crossbeam while moving between decks during cargo securing operations. Inadequate training was identified as a key factor in this incident.
Safety Concerns:
- OSHA statistics show approximately 100,000 forklift-related injuries occur each year, but proper training, retraining, and adherence to operational procedures can reduce accidents by up to 70%.
- OSHA regulations under Title 29 CFR Parts 1915, 1917, and 1918 cover industrial equipment standards for shipyards and marine terminals, but there are no specific regulations for shipboard forklift operations.
Recommendations:
- Review Shipboard Instructions and Standards: Ensure procedures and training for powered industrial equipment are incorporated in Safety Management Systems, Cargo Securing Manuals, and other key safety documents.
- Examine Risk Management Plans: Focus on hazard identification and crew safety measures related to forklift operations, especially in areas with overhead risks like crossbeams.
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Source: United States Coast Guard
