LTI: fingers severed by spinning fan blade

Hand and finger injuries

Members continue to report hand and finger injuries. In last year’s safety statistics, 42% of LTIs reported by IMCA members involved injuries caused when workers got into the Line of Fire. What do we need to do to stop workers putting their hands and fingers in dangerous places? We all want to get the job done – but that one quick pause, whilst we stop to think, could make ALL the difference. Think:

• Is there a better way to do this?
• Could I use a tool instead?
• Should there be a guard? Should I have gloves on?
• Is this still too hot to touch? Is it live or is it still spinning?  
• Think carefully before putting your hands where you can’t see them.

What happened

A worker on a vessel suffered life-changing hand injuries. The incident occurred during housekeeping in the engine room. After turning off power to a portable blower (used for ventilation of a confined space), the worker tried to move the portable blower by hand, grabbing the side of the fan instead of using the designated handle. Unfortunately, he was unaware that the fan blade was still spinning, and he stuck his fingers into the blade housing area to get a grip. There was no sufficient blade guard, and the spinning fan blade severed his index, middle, and ring fingers.

What went wrong

• The equipment used was neither suitable nor safe:
  • the handle for the portable blower was obstructed with rope and webbing sling;
  • the portable blower had been modified since appropriate air ducting was not available on board;
  • the opening into the blade housing area was big enough to allow access to fingers;
• The worker was unaware that the fan blades continue to spin for a time after the power is turned off;
• The noise made by the spinning blade (which would have been a warning) was inaudible due to the noise of the engine;
• The worker could not see the spinning blades due to the position of the portable blower;
• There was no toolbox talk carried out, nor control of work.

Lessons learned

• Always assume rotating machinery can cause harm, even after the power is off. Residual momentum can keep blades spinning for a significant time;
• Never reach into blind areas. Know where you put your hands, do not try to reach into places where you can’t see your hands or fingers;
• Never bypass designated handles or guards. They are there to protect you.

Members may wish to refer to:

• Hand safety – short IMCA video
• Diver Finger Injury – Scrubber Blower Fan
• Hand injury when caught in machinery
• Serious finger injury: procedures during engine maintenance
• Serious finger injury during valve installation