Wet Stairs Cause Sprained Ankle Resulting in LTI

By
Mfame Editor
-
1202

As part of its Safety Flashes, IMCA focused on the hazards associated with steep stairs onboard, after an observation was raised on a member’s vessel. With this respect, IMCA reminded that there are diverse international standards and references for stairs.

The Incident

A member has reported an incident in which a person suffered a badly sprained ankle leading to an LTI. The incident occurred when the person was making his way from the wheelhouse to the galley via the external staircase. When he put his weight on the second step his foot slipped and he fell the remaining distance (approximately 2 metres) to the deck resulting in an ankle injury.

Initial first aid was provided on the vessel until the injured person could be taken to hospital. Subsequent medical assessment diagnosed a badly sprained ankle resulting in being unable to do any work for at least seven days. This was likely to be followed by a period of restricted work.

Findings

  • Conditions were wet at the time;
  • Other than being wet, the steps were clean;
  • The injured person fell without hitting any other steps on way down and took the full impact on his foot when he hit the deck;
  • The injured person was descending facing away from steps;
  • The design of the stair (approx. 40 degrees from vertical) meant that when descending in this manner, only the person’s heel could be placed on the tread;
  • Steep stairs were not identified as a hazard on this vessel;
  • The injured person was wearing correctly fitted, laced/zipped work boots with good tread, and was not carrying anything at the time of the fall.

Lessons learnt

  • Although risk assessments for the project covered all operational tasks they did not extend to cover descending stairways;
  • No warnings signs were in place identifying the steep stairway or the need to use the hand rail.
  • The support provided by the correctly worn work safety boots may have limited the extent of the ankle injury.

Recommendations

  • Individuals should always consider the safest method of descending stairs before doing so;
    Stairways to be kept clean, and where possible, non-slip treads/nosings fitted;
  • ‘Caution steep stairway use handrails’ signage fitted;
  • The fact that you have not been told how to descend the stairs does not remove the need for you to assess your own safety before descending, and decide how to descend the stairway;
  • Ensure hazards not directly linked to operational tasks, are considered and addressed in the workplace, and included in vessel induction for all crew, client personnel and passengers;
  • Ensure that work boots and all other PPE is fitted and worn correctly.

Local guidance

The US OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) defines that all ship stairs (or ship ladders) “between 60 and 90 degrees, be device-facing, so any ships ladder that is angled 60 degrees or steeper must be descended backing down”.

The ship operator then developed local guidance including:

  • General cleaning and surface requirements for stairs;
  • The correct use of the handrails;
  • Attention to correct PPE – use of safety footwear;
  • Adequate technique – “Trailing hand” for typical descent; and “Descending backwards” (face-in) for steep stairs.

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Source: IMCA