This incident summary is based on a safety flash issued by IMCA, detailing a near miss involving electrical shock aboard a vessel during routine maintenance.
What Happened
A crew member suffered an electrical shock while cleaning up oil on a 50-tonne crane pedestal. During the task, the individual brushed against one of two coiled cables on nearby trays. One of the cables was energized with 220V, leading to the shock. The vessel medic examined the worker, who was found to be unharmed.
Why It Happened
The energized cable had exposed conductors, was incorrectly terminated, and lacked proper labeling. It had been left in this condition following a yard visit conducted less than a year prior.
The cable, initially intended for use as a General-Purpose Outlet (GPO), was left connected to a power source. This points to a failure in the vessel’s assurance and verification processes during the handover after yard work, allowing unsafe electrical installations to remain undetected.
Actions Taken
A thorough inspection was conducted following the incident. Ten additional disconnected but de-energized cables were identified elsewhere on the vessel. The operator committed to improving oversight of future electrical commissioning activities, emphasizing that such work should be performed by company electricians rather than third-party contractors.
Lessons Learned
- Ensure proper termination, labeling, and de-energization of all electrical cables, especially after yard work is completed.
- Strengthen handover assurance processes to verify the safety and status of onboard electrical systems.
- Assign critical electrical tasks to qualified in-house personnel to maintain control and accountability.
- Conduct regular inspections to identify potentially hazardous electrical conditions before they pose a risk.
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Source: IMCA Trading Ltd
