Transport Malta reports of safety line failure, leading to a crew member’s fall from a height in the forepeak tank.
What happened
In the afternoon of 04 November 2021, the bosun was working aloft with the hydroblaster to de-rust and clean a section of the forepeak tank. Several other crew members were in the forepeak tank to assist with the task.
At one point, the bosun fell from a height of about 10 metres, to the bottom of the forepeak tank. He was later evacuated to a hospital. His fall led to disabilities which will prohibit him from pursuing his seafaring career.
The safety investigation concluded that due to the restricted visibility in the forepeak tank, the bosun had most probably passed the rotating jet of the hydroblaster gun across the rope, which was connected to his safety harness.
Considering the safety actions taken by the Company, the MSIU has not made any recommendations.
Actions taken
During the safety investigation, the Company took the following actions:
- A standardisation of PPE for working at heights was carried out across the fleet, following consultation with third parties specialising in this sector. The vessels were provided with retractable fall arresters with galvanised steel rope.
- Safety information was sent to the fleet, instructing the masters to remind the crew on the precautions to be taken when working aloft and the importance of the proper utilisation of safety harnesses.
- A new job planning form was introduced throughout the Fleet, requiring the crew to complete and forward the same to the Company, for review of the conditions of the job, prior to commencement.
- Entities specializing in personnel training were contracted to conduct training of superintendents and crew members on board for working at heights and entry into enclosed spaces.
- A new ‘Lock-out Tag-out’ procedure was implemented, and the Company’s vessels were provided with one electrical and one hydraulic isolation kit to ensure proper isolation of relevant equipment prior to the commencement of a task.
- The SMS Manual was revised to include a PPE inventory, and the crew familiarization checklists were also revised to include references to this inventory.
Recommendations
No safety recommendations have been issued as a result of this safety investigation.
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Source: Transport Malta
