Equipment fell on someone’s leg causing injury

What happened

Whilst a worker was moving one piece of equipment, another piece of equipment shifted and fell onto his leg, causing an injury. The person was cleaning the bow thruster room which was also used to store parts. He intended to move a portable submersible pump, but another piece of equipment (an auxiliary engine cooler) located near the pump, shifted and fell against his right leg, causing a minor injury.

However, because the injury was not properly treated immediately, it got worse and required treatment ashore. The incident was only reported to the office three days after the occurrence.

What went wrong

• The bow thruster room was being used as a storage area;
• The auxiliary engine cooler was neither secured nor lashed down;
• The auxiliary engine cooler was used; it was surplus to requirements and it ought not have even been on board;
• The injury was not reported in a timely way.

Lessons learned

• Ensure storage is properly organised:
  • Any loose parts should be well secured.
  • Have a through inventory: if “spare” parts cannot be used anymore or are beyond repair, send them ashore. Don’t keep useless material on board.
• Report incidents immediately; treat all injuries seriously and immediately;
  • This incident should have been reported when it first happened rather than three days later, by which time the injury had got worse. 
• Further training of all crew was suggested, to raise awareness of the importance of reporting incidents or near misses as soon as they occur.

Members may wish to refer to:

• Secured material fell against crewman causing injury
• MAIB: A heavy sheave fell over causing an LTI
• Infection: a scratched elbow turns into an LTI