Lack of safety awareness: crush injury during lifting operations
- Safety Flash
- Published on 29 June 2011
- Generated on 24 April 2025
- IMCA SF 05/11
- 2 minute read
A Member has reported an incident in which a crewman suffered minor crush injuries when his hand was caught between two objects during lifting operations.
What happened?
The incident occurred when some oil drums were being positioned on the deck using the crane, with the assistance of two deck crew. One was handling the tag line while the other was acting as the lift supervisor and was equipped with a radio to communicate with the crane operator. While manoeuvring the drums between a deck cargo of containers, the two deck crew attempted to man-handle the drums 1.5 metres horizontally without slewing the crane jib.
The acting lift supervisor was pushing on the drum while the other pulled on the tag line. The acting lift supervisor radioed the crane operator and asked him to hoist a little; he was unaware at the time that the hoist wire was snagged on the container; this caused the drum to pinch the acting lift supervisor’s hand between the drum and container. He sustained a minor crush injury and was sent ashore for x-rays.
area where oil drums were being moved
area where oil drums were being moved
What were the causes?
The member’s investigation noted that:
- Existing company procedures were not followed.
- Risk assessments had not been completed.
- The individuals involved in the operation demonstrated a lack of safety awareness that put themselves, their colleagues and their vessel at risk.
- The individuals involved in the operation had received no training in this specific task.
Lessons learnt
The following lessons were learnt from the incident:
- Complacency with regard to any lifting operation, however small, must be guarded against.
- All persons involved in a task, from deck officers and supervisors to deck crew, should have a clear understanding of the nature of the task and their duties with regard to the task.
- All crew should have a deeper understanding of the requirement for risk assessment for all ‘routine’ and non-‘routine’ tasks.
- All crew members should be reminded of the importance of accepting personal responsibility for safety and that they all are empowered to stop work until safe operations are restored.
- Shipboard training and familiarisation should include specific training in particular tasks and equipment.
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.