Person slipped when exiting bathroom into cabin

What happened

A crew member stepped out of the bathroom onto the cabin mat, when the mat slipped resulting in the crew member falling backwards, striking his lower back on the base of the bathroom door frame.

The medic checked the injured person, identifying some swelling and a small abrasion. In follow up with the medic, the injured person reported feeling a little sore, but with no further symptoms, and returned to normal working duties.

Investigation identified that the cabin mat did not have any anti-slip material on the underside. A check was completed on all cabins which found a number of mats which had the potential to slip due to no anti-slip or rubber material underneath. The assumption had been made that every cabin had an anti-slip type mat.

Investigation identified that the cabin mat did not have any anti-slip material on the underside. A check was completed on all cabins which found a number of mats which had the potential to slip due to no anti-slip or rubber material underneath. The assumption had been made that every cabin had an anti-slip type mat.

Our member noted that this incident could have resulted in a far more serious injury.

What went wrong/what was the cause

Cloth based mats were being used instead of rubberised (anti-slip) mats. There were not sufficient rubberised mats to supply each cabin. Cloth based cabin mats do not offer any anti-slip properties.

What went right

• The accident was promptly reported to the medic by the injured person;
• Most of the cabins were to found to have the correct anti-slip type mats fitted.

Learnings

• The immediate corrective action was to apply deck grip tape, until suitable anti-slip mats were available;
• An adequate stock of rubberised matting should be maintained onboard;
• If there’s a temporary need to use cloth based mats, some form of anti-slip material should be used to prevent the mats from slipping;
• Inspections of accommodation areas should highlight where anti-slip mats are not present or not available.

Members may wish to refer to:

• Fall from Height Leading to Injury [there was no non-slip coating, and an uneven surface, in a hazardous area.  This had not been identified.]
• Lost time injury (LTI): fractured elbow – fall injury [The Chief Officer slipped on a smooth section of ramping deck, landing badly and suffering a fractured elbow]