Finger injury: What happens when you DON’T use the right tool for the right job
- Safety Flash
- Published on 7 November 2017
- Generated on 24 July 2026
- IMCA SF 28/17
- 2 minute read
A crewman attempted to remove the impeller from a fire pump using a hammer and punching rod. While he was hammering, a steel splinter of the punching rod (3-4 mm) chipped off and punctured his right hand.
What happened?
The incident happened during corrective maintenance to a fire pump. The injured person was tasked by the Chief Engineer to disassemble the pump, as the Chief was busy with other work.
The injured person observed that the impeller was stuck on its shaft due to misaligned splines between impeller and shaft. He started to attempt removal of the impeller by knocking out the shaft using a hammer and a steel punching rod.
The punching rod splintered and the splinter went through the injured person’s glove and entered the soft tissues between thumb and index finger.
What went wrong? What were the causes?
- The tools selected for the job were inadequate.
- An adequate and correct gear puller specially designed for the task was not available on board.
- Inadequate hand protection equipment was used for the task; cotton gloves were used instead of mechanical impact protection gloves, which were available onboard.
Lessons learnt
- Ensure the right tools to do the job are available.
- Proper PPE, whilst a last line of defence, can minimise consequences or prevent injuries from happening.
Related Safety Flashes
-
IMCA SF 08/16
13 April 2016
-
IMCA SF
22 October 2015
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.