UK MAIB: Standing on top of cargo unsafe and unnecessary

In the latest issue of its Safety Digest, UK MAIB presents the fall of a chief officer who was standing on top of a cargo, which ultimately resulted in his death. UK MAIB provides a description of what happened and important lessons learned to prevent similar accidents in the future.

The incident

While a general cargo ship was alongside in an Asian port, nine 1.2m high heavy steel cargo units had to be shifted from the aft to the forward hold in order to adjust the ship’s trim. The crew successfully transferred eight of the units using one of the ship’s cranes. However, when the ninth unit was landed on the deck in the forward hold, it was too far from the ship’s side for it to be properly lashed, and had to be moved a few centimetres closer.

The chief officer climbed onto the cargo unit and directed the crane driver by using hand signals and VHF radio to hoist the unit. As the crane took up the weight, the chief officer held onto one of two webbing strops that were being used to lift the unit. Suddenly, the unit and/or a strop shifted, causing the chief officer to lose his balance and fall through a hole in the steel unit and onto the deck.

The chief officer was badly injured, and the ship’s crew reacted quickly to administer first-aid and lift him from the hold to the quayside. The chief officer was taken to a local hospital by ambulance, accompanied by the second officer. The oxygen bottle provided in the ambulance was empty and the chief officer became unresponsive. The second officer checked his vital signs and commenced cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which was continued by medical staff on arrival at the hospital. Tragically, the chief officer died shortly afterwards from bleeding and pneumothorax in his right chest cavity. He also suffered broken ribs and a broken humerus.

Lessons learned:

1. Although hazardous, it is not unusual for crew members to stand on top of cargo during loading and discharge in order to get a job done. However, standing on the top of cargo that is being lifted is inherently unsafe and unnecessary.

2. A ‘can do’ attitude is invariably seen as a positive personal quality, but a ‘can do safely’ attitude is far better. When a problem arises while working the cargo, take time to weigh up the options and decide on the most efficient and safe course of action. The forces at play are too considerable to rush.

3. Every fall from height is potentially lifethreatening. Internal injuries are always possible, no matter the distance traveled.

4. Healthcare varies considerably in different parts of the world; it might not always be up to the standard you are used to.