The Marine Safety Forum (MSF) published an alert in which someone was injured whilst using a pillar drill.
What Happened / Narrative:
An experienced engineer was changing out a drill bit on a tower drill in the engine room workshop and while doing so he inadvertently operated the wrong handle and started the drill.
The engineer was wearing gloves to carry out this task and as the drill turned the glove caught and turned with the drill bit trapping his hand inside and causing a hand injury which then required shore side treatment.
Why Did it Happen / Cause
The subsequent investigation highlighted several safety critical points, a selection of which are noted below:
- The drill had multi-function controls (including, clutch speed, gears, slow and fast operation, on/off switches) none of which were actually marked to indicate their purpose.
- By its design, the emergency stop button for the drill did not clearly identify to the operator when it was engaged or de-activated.
- There was no ‘green light’ (or similar indicator) to show when the equipment was ‘energised’
Any modification of equipment should only be done after consultation and agreement with the manufacturer to ensure the modification does not adversely interfere or affect any of the other functions of the drill.
Corrective Actions Taken by Submitting Company:
The company introduced ‘drill familiarisation’ to the engineers induction and this was a positive step but it is also important that a full and comprehensive risk assessment is carried out for the use of all engine room equipment and that engineers intending to use the equipment are fully familiarised with the RA’s and comply with its requirement
Any equipment which has not been fully risk assessed should be quarantined until safety of the user can be assured.
NOTE: A more recent model of the same drill incorporates a safety feature where the drill cannot be operated if the drill guard is in the open position. This safety feature should be function checked to ensure it is fully operational before carrying out any drill changes.
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Source: Marine Safety Forum
