Real Life Incident: Fatal Fall From Hatch Cover

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While closing the hatch covers on a small bulk carrier after hold cleaning, an officer climbed on to a partially-closed hatch cover to unshackle and move the wire leading from the winch. He slipped, fell into the hold and was killed.

bulk carrier

Root cause/contributory factors

In the absence of written procedures, the ship’s crew was using an incorrect and dangerous procedure for closing the hatches;
The decks and hatch covers were wet, oily and slippery and the officer placed himself in a dangerous position by climbing on to, and working at the very edge of, the partially-opened hatch cover;
The officer was not wearing a safety harness or a helmet.

Lessons learnt

Vessels must have written procedures (as required by the ISM Code) for safely carrying out routine procedures and ships’ crews must be familiar with these procedures and follow them.
Seafarers should not take risks that place them, even briefly, in a dangerous position.
Seafarers should always wear safety equipment where appropriate, and be alert for any hazards caused by the presence of oil, grease or water on deck.

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