Unsafe actions and conditions – Inhibited alarm buttons

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 3 May 2019
  • Generated on 3 April 2025
  • IMCA SF 09/19
  • 1 minute read

On a vessel safety walk-round, an unsafe condition was found whereby alarm push buttons for acknowledgement / mute were kept pressed using toothpicks and scotch tape.

What happened?

While these were not fire alarms, the principle is the same and for this reason, this incident has been included in a safety flash covering fire-related incidents.

Visual alarms, buzzers and sirens are installed and available for a reason.  Timely attendance to alarms is vital to protect personnel, equipment and the vessel against major failures and incidents.

On a vessel safety walk-round, an unsafe condition was found whereby alarm push buttons for acknowledgement/mute were kept pressed using toothpicks and scotch tape.

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