Crew member cut hand on broken glass during heavy weather

Hand and finger injuries

Members continue to report hand and finger injuries. In last year’s safety statistics, 42% of LTIs reported by IMCA members involved injuries caused when workers got into the Line of Fire. What do we need to do to stop workers putting their hands and fingers in dangerous places? We all want to get the job done – but that one quick pause, whilst we stop to think, could make ALL the difference. Think:

• Is there a better way to do this?
• Could I use a tool instead?
• Should there be a guard? Should I have gloves on?
• Is this still too hot to touch? Is it live or is it still spinning?  
• Think carefully before putting your hands where you can’t see them.

What happened

A member of the galley team suffered a serious hand injury when washing a glass during a period of heavy weather. The glass being washed slipped, hit the sink, and broke. The glass fragments struck the injured person’s left hand, causing an injury requiring seven stitches. The vessel was rolling in seas of approximately 2.5m.

Lessons

• Think carefully about what activities are conducted during bad weather – ensure crew have full awareness of the increased risks during heavy weather;
• Wearing gloves while washing dishes could have provided additional protection;
• Reducing the number of hand and finger injuries remains a significant challenge for the industry. In 2023 a fifth of incidents shared as IMCA Safety Flashes involved hand or finger injuries.
  • Take the time to stop and think things through
  • Can this be task be done in a safer, easier way?
  • Am I putting my hands at risk by doing this job?
  • Am I putting my hands where I can’t guarantee their safety?
  • Am I putting my hands in the line of fire?
• Are YOU prepared to work safely?
  • See IMCA short video on Hand safety
  • See IMCA short video on Line of fire

Members may wish to refer to:

• Head injury when crew member fell over in bathroom during heavy weather
• LTI: Damage and personal injury arising from heavy weather
• LTI: Fingers injured during fender lifting operation