Hand injury during retrieval of personal protective equipment (PPE) stored inside a compressor unit

An incident has come to IMCA’s attention in which a crewman suffered a hand injury caused by a slamming door on a compressor unit. The incident occurred when a contractor worker took off his PPE and kept it inside the compressor whilst visiting the lavatory. When he returned and retrieved his PPE from the inside of the compressor unit, a part of the door slammed due to high wind and caught his hand, resulting in an injury to his index finger. The injured person was rushed to hospital where he was received two stitches.

Investigation findings noted the following:

• Using equipment enclosures as temporary storage can potentially lead to harm of people and damage to equipment;
• The worker placed his PPE inside the compressor unit. The inside of the compressor unit was used by the crew habitually as a storage area for PPE;
• There were other flammable materials seen stored inside the compressor unit, which could potentially lead to major fire and explosion;
• The incident was not reported in a timely way;
• There was no evidence of new risk assessment being conducted prior to recommencing of the work, and PPE was seen being stored inside the compressor unit the following day – the lessons were not learnt by the crew.

The following actions were taken:

• Ensure all incidents are reported immediately;
• Ensure no materials are stored inside any operational machinery;
• Ensure PPEs/other materials are stored in designated area only.