Hand and finger injuries... Two recent incidents
- Safety Flash
- Published on 22 May 2024
- Generated on 23 July 2026
- IMCA SF 10/24
- 2 minute read
Hand and finger injuries continue to be a significant theme in the incidents shared with IMCA by its Members.
STOP! Take the time to think things through before starting work. Your hands and fingers are the best tools you have – and you only have one set of them.
Incident one: Crush injury to right hand small finger
A worker suffered a crushed right little finger whilst moving the moonpool door ram. The ram was placed on a flat pallet at the time, so the potential for movement was high. The movement of the ram crushed the worker’s finger causing a spit in the skin and a fracture.
What went wrong
- Although a toolbox talk had been conducted, including a basic risk assessment for manual handling activities, the full scope of the work had not been adequately assessed.
- No-one stopped to think and reassess the additional hazard: that the ram would move, was not foreseen.
The moonpool door opening ram, after the incident
Lessons
- Look at the ENTIRE situation – consider the use of ABBIE (Above, Behind, Below, Inside and Environment).
- Ensure task-specific risk assessment is sufficiently thorough.
- If the job changes – STOP, re-assess, if necessary, activate a “Management of Change” process.
- Remember you can and should STOP THE JOB if you think it is unsafe – don’t just carry on!
Incident two: First Aid Case – OUCH! A completely unnecessary hand injury
When removing the ceiling plates in the main deck instrument room, a worker cut his hand on a ceiling plate, which had sharp edges. The worker was not wearing gloves – as should have been the case. Wearing gloves would have prevented the injury.
Roof panels
Lessons
- Watch where you put your hands! It’s so easy just to do it – DON’T! STOP and THINK.
- PPE is there for a reason – use it. Gloves you can replace: fingers and hands, you can’t.
Members may wish to refer to:
Related Safety Flashes
-
IMCA SF 29/23
18 December 2023
-
-
IMCA SF 22/20
24 July 2020
-
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.