MAIB: LTI – a wedge shattered causing injury

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch has published Safety Digest 1/2024, consisting of lessons from recent Marine Accident Reports. IMCA has reviewed the report and passes on to members some of the incidents which we consider to be of interest. This is one of them.

What happened

Crew on a cargo vessel were preparing to open a cargo hold hatch cover, which was sealed by several wedges. The usual technique for releasing the wedges was to use a sledgehammer. A crew member quickly approached the wedge and, without taking time to prepare, swung the sledgehammer. The sledgehammer hit the wedge, but instead of coming out, the wedge remained lodged in place and shattered, sending debris flying towards the crew member. A small fragment of the securing wedge penetrated the crew member’s right leg, just below the knee. The crew member received first aid and was signed off work for three days to recover from their injury.

Useful questions

• Have you performed a thorough check of equipment and the work area before operations began?
• Could deterioration of parts cause failure – even after the correct procedure and planning routines are followed?
• Take the time to think things through – consider how to safely perform an action;
• Assess the area and level of force required, the alignment of the swing – that might have resulted in an effective strike and prevented the catastrophic failure of the wedge.

Lessons

Before using heavy tools, be aware of what could happen if things go wrong. In this case, swinging the hammer away from the body might have reduced the risk of being struck either by flying debris or the hammer itself if the wedge was missed.

Members may wish to refer to:

• Injuries to the eyes and face
• Line of fire injury – Man struck in face by hammer