Use of damaged electrical equipment by dock workers
What happened
Third-party crew working on a vessel being demobilised were observed using damaged electrical equipment. Third-party welders were preparing to weld the anchor sea-fastening onto the main deck aft. Vessel crew noticed that the electric cable of the welding machine was connected to the electric cord extension without a plug, and the cable cover was damaged.
The job was immediately stopped. The vessel ETO repaired the damaged wiring and installed an appropriate plug – illustrated in the third photograph on the right below.
What went wrong
Our member notes that the third-party workers did not bring the proper tools for the job, nor did they carry out visual inspection of electrical equipment.
IMCA notes that this incident occurred on a vessel in a port in an area of recent strong growth and emerging markets. In addition to the electrical safety issues, there may be lessons to learn about control of sub-contractors and third-party crew particularly at very busy times such as port calls and mobilisations.
The crew of the vessel are to be commended for noticing the matter and for exercising their STOP WORK AUTHORITY.
Members may wish to refer to:
- Electrician suffered flash burn to hand [one lesson: “The required level of supervision of shipyard personnel and contractors was underestimated in the planning phase of the dry docking leading to insufficient crew being allocated and/or available to supervise critical activities”]
- UK HSE: Poorly maintained electrical installation caused fatality
- Damaged Electrical Cable
- Shipyard worker receives electrical shock
Safety Event
Published: 25 November 2021
Download: 
IMCA SF 32/21
IMCA Safety Flashes
Submit a Report
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of all. The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on Members sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Please consider adding safetyreports@imca-int.com to your internal distribution list for safety alerts or manually submitting information on incidents you consider may be relevant. All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate.
IMCA’s store terms and conditions (https://www.imca-int.com/legal-notices/terms/) apply to all downloads from IMCA’s website, including this document.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in the documents it publishes, but IMCA shall 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.