Securing of office equipment on vessels
A member has reported the following incident which occurred onboard one of its vessels. The vessel was in heavy seas when it was hit by several 20-25′ swells, causing the vessel to heel over to 35′. This resulted in serious disruption throughout the accommodation areas, with the Office being among the worst effected. While an employee tried to prevent a computer from falling off of a desk, he was hit by filing cabinets and a photocopier which had broken loose from the opposite side of the Office. He turned to protect himself, but was struck on the chin by one of the cabinets, resulting in a minor laceration and also in jarring to the chin.
The company involved has issued a reminder of the importance of ensuring all fittings, items and equipment in accommodation areas and on deck are sufficiently secured to prevent movement in heavy weather, thereby minimising the risk of injury to personnel and/or damage to equipment.
Safety Event
Published: 1 October 2002
Download: 
IMCA SF 10/02
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