Laceration to right index finger

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 25 September 2024
  • Generated on 4 October 2026
  • IMCA SF 19/24
  • 1 minute read

The Energeo Alliance (formerly IAGC) have published a safety alert relating to a crew person who suffered a laceration to the right index finger whilst going through a door on a vessel.

What happened?

The worker was entering a workshop container located on deck. They opened the door with their right hand and stepped inside holding the door with their right hand to close it behind him. As the door closed, the wind and the movement of the vessel combined to cause the door to close more quickly than anticipated. The injured person’s right index finger got caught between the door edge and the door frame, causing a laceration to the right index finger.

Lessons Learned

  • Safety by design: work areas should be designed safely to avoid injuries. Doors inside and outside the accommodation are potential pinch points and this should be addressed in planning.
  • Avoid complacency and maintain awareness of the surrounding conditions – take extra care when the vessel is moving during rough weather.
  • Ordered and installed heavy duty door shock absorbers (automatic closers) to eliminate the possibility of being caught in the door and getting injured.

Latest Safety Flashes:

Hydraulic oil leak detected below moonpool

A hydraulic oil leak was identified below the moonpool after the worktable doors were opened.

Read more
Dropped scaffold board (kickplate) – SIF near miss

A scaffolding kickboard was accidentally dropped falling from a height of 6.5 metres to the main deck.

Read more
H₂S detected on deck

During vessel transit back to port, Hydrogen Sulphide (H₂S) was detected in the open space on the main deck.

Read more
Restoration and verification after maintenance

A missing flooring panel was identified beneath a 415V bow thruster electrical motor cabinet.

Read more
Vessel contact during materiel transfer in adverse weather

One vessel lost heading and position control because of the strong winds and swell, pushing it toward another.

Read more

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.