- A crew member’s arm was torn off while working on rotating equipment, leading to a serious injury.
- Another incident involved crushed fingers due to a glove being caught in the conveyor belt, resulting in severe pain and sick leave.
- Preventive measures include strict protocols and awareness to avoid such accidents in the future.
A crew member’s arm was torn off while working on rotating equipment on board a cargo vessel. The air ambulance had to be called to transport the injured person to the hospital. First aid was administered immediately on-site, reports SDIR.
Course of Events
The conveyor belt was not started remotely, and the ship was on a routine transit voyage. The able seafarer informed the captain about his plan to conduct a routine check of the unloading arrangement in the tunnel. While inspecting the belt and cleaning dirt near the driving shaft, his clothing likely got caught, leading to his arm being pulled into the belt.
The injured crew member reported his injury using a UHF radio. Emergency services were called, and the injured person was airlifted to the hospital. The captain emphasized that the crew does not typically work on rotating equipment, and further awareness is needed to prevent future accidents.
Preventive Measures to Avoid Future Incidents
The incident prompted the implementation of strict preventive measures. It is mandatory to inform navigational bridge personnel before entering the unloading tunnel.
Additionally, two persons must be present during such operations, and the emergency stop must be activated.
Similar Incident on a Fishing Vessel
In a separate incident on a fishing vessel, an individual’s left-hand fingers were crushed when a glove got caught under the conveyor belt during high-pressure cleaning. The injured person freed himself but experienced severe pain, and swelling, and required urgent medical care.
The glove became stuck in the conveyor while cleaning, pulling the person’s hand towards the belt and causing severe injuries. The use of a short lance attached to the pressure washer brought the hands dangerously close to the conveyor.
Preventive Measures for Conveyor Belt Safety
To avoid similar accidents in the future, an audit of safety checklists and familiarization processes in the safety management system will be conducted.
Measures will be implemented to prevent incidents involving rotating machinery and conveyor belts.
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Source: SDIR
