IMCA Safety Flash May 2024

Hand and Finger Injuries

• Hand and finger injuries are a significant theme in incidents shared with IMCA by its members.
• Incident 1: A worker suffered a crushed right little finger while moving the moonpool door ram, which was placed on a flat pallet, and the movement of the ram crushed the worker’s finger, causing a split in the skin and a fracture.
• Gloves can be replaced, but fingers and hands cannot.
• Members can refer to IMCA video – watch your hands, Worker cut hand on broken mirror, and LTI: Loss of fingertip and nail.

Crewmember Suspended Above Deck by Lifting Equipment

• A crew member’s work restraint lanyard became entangled in a hook and wire sling during lifting operations offshore at a wind turbine.
• The crew member was lifted off the deck, but the trainee’s weight freed the entanglement, and the crew member fell unharmed between 1 to 2 meters onto a group of lifting bags on deck.
• Factors contributing to the incident: the crew member’s lanyard was worn in a loose position, the crew member was too close to the lifting equipment, and the crane operator neither saw nor responded to the emergency stop signal.

Engine Failure and Subsequent Engine Room Fire

• There was a catastrophic failure of a diesel generator on a vessel working offshore, which led to engine components being ejected by force and starting an engine room fire.
• The Hi-Fog fixed firefighting system was activated, non-essential personnel were mustered, and onshore emergency response teams were assembled.
• The fire was extinguished with limited damage to any further machinery, and no one was harmed.

BSEE: Welding and Burning Hazards

• The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) released Safety Alert 482, which identified multiple high-potential fires associated with welding and burning operations.
• Critical issues identified: hot work being conducted close to equipment containing hydrocarbons, inadequate housekeeping practices, inadequate tools for fire prevention, and inconsistent and infrequent training for personnel engaged in hot work and/or welding.
• BSEE recommendations: ensure no flammable materials or hydrocarbons are nearby when preparing for hot work, ensure rating, current condition, and placement of fire protection barriers mitigate the potential risk, and ensure a heightened level of planning specific to the hazards associated with welding and burning operations.

Summary of key safety matters and incidents from IMCA Safety Flash. Learn from past incidents to avoid repeat incidents.