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The information available on this Safety Flash and our associated web site is provided in good faith and only for the purpose s of enhancing safety and best practice. For theavoidance of doubt no legal liability shall be attached to any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.

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Marine Safety Forum  – Safety Flash 12-40Issued: 27th September 2012Subject: Able Seaman Injured by Unstable Cargo

The vessel was about to complete discharging and back loading at the platform. The last lift tocome down was a spreader beam which - in this case - is an approximately eight meter long “I”shaped beam. On the top and bottom of this beam there are two lifting eyes situated on the ends.The crane driver lowered the beam down directly against the previous loaded 20ft baskets.

When the tension was off the lifting slings the AB’s went towards the beam to release the slingsfrom the hook.  As soon as the slings were out the AB’s were looking up to the hook to make sure

it would not hit them.

 At that moment the ship made a slight rolling movement towards starboard and the beam flippedover, landing on top of the left ankle of one of the AB’s.

  The spreader beam was lifted as a spreader beam.

  The landing will be unstable and will fall to one side due to the fact the beam has 2 eyes onthe bottom side.

  The weather and position of the vessel was calm. The small movements from the vesselattributed to the beam standing for approx. 30 seconds upright against the container.

  The spreader was not noted on the pre (concept) backload manifest.

  The crew were not aware the spreader beam was to be back loaded beforehand and wasnot discussed in a toolbox meeting.

  This beam was not considered as hazardous cargo, in this case an unstable cargo, by all

personnel involved and accepted to be loaded on the vessel.

  The beam was loaded against the container.

8/21/2019 Msf Safety Flash 12 40

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The information available on this Safety Flash and our associated web site is provided in good faith and only for the purpose s of enhancing safety and best practice. For theavoidance of doubt no legal liability shall be attached to any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.

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Human Factor Findings

  The AB’s were both focussed on the hook after the cargo was landed, as they consideredthe beam as stable.

  The Injured AB was new to the industry and he was teamed-up with a colleague whoworked for the Company 11 years.

  After the beam was unhooked the injured AB was moving towards instead of away from thecargo.

  The AB was focussed on the moving hook. Both AB’s had more than enough space tomove into a safe distance

Lessons learnt

  Every lift must be properly planned (Manifest)

  Clear communication between Deck, Bridge and Rig should be established.

  More attention to be paid to every separate lift

  Do not unhook until the cargo is stabilized on deck

  Ensure good induction, familiarisation and help for new crew.

Immediate actions

The chief mate decided to take the injured person towards the accommodation to investigatehis injuries further. The ERT-team was called, informing the Company of the situation. In themeantime the platform offered to bring their medic.

With the crew basket the Medic and his assistant were put to the deck, the injured person wastaken inside the accommodation so he could bandage his ankle/foot.

Vessel arrived in port and the injured person was taken to the hospital.

It was confirmed that his ankle was broken.