Untitled Quiz

LTI - Compound Fracture of Right Foot

• An incident occurred on a Service Operation Vessel (SOV) while performing Walk-2-Work duties at an offshore windfarm.
• The SOV was positioned alongside a Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) with significant wave activity.
• The gangway operator attempted to connect the gangway to the WTG twice, facing difficulties due to vessel movement.
• During the retraction on the second attempt, the telescoping section of the gangway frame entrapped the operator's right foot, causing a compound fracture.

Underlying Causes

• A gap existed between the gangway frame end and floor grating, creating an entrapment zone.
• The operator was standing in this zone during the connection attempts.
• The automatic motion compensation system contributed to the incident as the gangway frame completed its travel over the operator's foot.

Root Causes

• The design of the telescoping gangway frame had a chamfer, creating a gap.
• The final section of the gangway frame's travel path was unguarded, lacking protection.
• The training program for gangway operators encouraged them to stand in the area where the incident took place, normalizing this unsafe practice.

Contributory Factors

• The operator was highly focused on making the connection, leading to situational unawareness of their position.
• The vessel's risk assessment didn't explicitly address the foot entrapment hazard or necessary control measures.

Corrective Actions Taken / Recommendations

• Install guarding on the gangway's soft stop and physical barriers at the base of the telescoping section to prevent foot entrapment.
• Update gangway operator training with a focus on entrapment hazards, identifying no-go areas, and including it in competency assessments.
• Develop sea state and vessel movement limits for gangway connections, allowing operators to make informed decisions.
• Evaluate the gangway operator shelter to improve its usability for operators.
• All SOVs should conduct a targeted hazard identification of their gangway systems for potential shear and entrapment points.
• SOVs should review Walk-2-Work risk assessments to ensure shear and entrapment hazards are addressed with suitable control measures.
• Establish an on-site competency assessment and refresher program for gangway operators to maintain good practices, update knowledge, assess skill levels, and address unwanted habits.