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Marine Safety Forum – Safety Flash 13-28

Issued: 24th June 2013 Subject: Handling Rescue Mannequins A safety observation has been received from one of our vessels requesting that the joints on the

mannequins used for validation trials are covered and that this is checked before they are put on

board the vessel. The individual pointed out that these joints are classic ‘pinch points’ and have, in

the past, been the cause of hand injuries during the handling of the dummies.

In particular some dummies were fitted with stainless steel articulating joints and, if you were to put

your hand under the leg or arm in the vicinity of the joint it was not uncommon to get fingers

trapped when you lifted the dummy. We understand the joint design has now been modified but a

hand trap hazard is still present.

In discussion with one of the Marine assurance consultancies that carry out these trials the

following information was furnished;-

‘The mannequins that we use have either full suits fitted or the mannequins which do not have

suits have all been fitted with cuffs at the pinch points. These are checked after every trial and

where needed cuffs are replaced. We also routinely service these. That is not to say that during a

set of trials that a cuff cannot be torn or ripped off if caught on something. There may be a

circumstance where mannequins are transferred from one vessel after trails to another to begin

trials where these cannot be repaired in time, and during the assessors check, should any be

found defective then it would be brought to the crew’s attention and either rectified onboard or not

used if deemed to be unsafe. During our opening briefing, where all crew are in attendance, we

discuss the pinch point to make crews aware of where they are. Also discussed is that any transfer

of mannequins around the vessel is undertaken by two men carrying them or they can be dragged

along the deck by the lanyard between trials (i.e. only out with the trial when good casualty

handling practices are not required) which lessens the likelihood of pinching hands or fingers. All

crew should also wear gloves.

We have never been made aware of any crew person having received an injury by pinching their

fingers or hand. If a crewman is injured in any way then it should be raised during the de-brief.’

Should protection be missing from one of the joints an effective solution is to fit foam pipe

insulation of a suitable size around the joint secured in place with duct tape. This prevents

entrapment but allows the joint to function as intended.

It may be appropriate to make those that that may be involved aware of this potential manual

handling hazard when moving or working with these mannequins and ensure that checks are

carried out on them before use.