MSF: Hand injury during stowing of anchor chains
- Safety Flash
- Published on 2 April 2015
- Generated on 22 February 2025
- IMCA SF 05/15
- 2 minute read
The Marine Safety Forum has published a safety flash regarding an incident in which someone suffered a first aid injury to his hand.
The crew were re-stowing the anchor chain after calibration in dry dock. They were trying to get the chain into the compression bar but it was slightly misaligned preventing the bar from closing. They tried lowering and raising the anchor a few times but to no avail.
A crewman then successfully used a large pinch bar to turn the link slightly as the chain was raised the last short distance to allow the chain to fit snugly in the compression bar. Unfortunately he failed to notice the pinch bar was now aligned with the handrail on the adjacent bulkhead and as he lowered it his hand was caught between the pinch bar and handrail.
Members may wish to refer to the following similar incidents (key words: crushed, finger):
- Finger injury during loading operations
- Hand injury sustained by diver
Hand and finger crush/amputation injuries of this sort tend to occur where the immediate cause is not properly taking into account the risk of sudden and unplanned movement of very heavy or massive objects.
Please see also the following similar incidents:
- Serious hand injury
- Lost time incident (LTI): Laceration to finger
- Lost time injury (LTI): Crewman’s finger pinched when moving the gangway
- Lost time injury (LTI): Trapped finger
Members should be aware that IMCA has a pocket safety card on this topic – Watch your hands.
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.