What happened?

Event # 1

An able seaman (AB) apprentice got his left arm caught between the gangway and crane-foot under preparation for departure from port. Strong wind is said to be the reason why the gangway came in swaying (motion) when it hung in the crane wire. The AB apprentice suffered a fracture in his left forearm because of the incident.

Event # 2

Preparations was made before departure and the dismantling of the gangway. The gangway was attached to the ship's side with two through bolts. A hook from a crane was attached to  the middle of the gangway, and the bolts were unscrewed.

The gangway then slipped from the boat and tipped over. The AB fell from the gangway down to the dock with his head and shoulder first. The AB was taken to hospital by ambulance.

Best practices before departure

It is important that everyone on board is aware of their function and the dangers involved with the job to be performed. A review of procedures or a risk assessment of the task should always be in place prior to starting the work. With right focus and good attitude, one can often avoid incidents such as those mentioned above.

For regular tasks the most appropriate would be a fixed procedure, and a checklist if needed. If the job or task  to be performed does not have a separate procedure, a risk assessment should be performed before the job is started.

Risk assessment

When it comes to risk assessment, we refer to the Regulations of 1 January 2005 No. 8 concerning the working environment, health and safety of persons working on board ship, Section 2-2. Risk assessment, and Section 2-5. Information to persons working on board.

The Law/regulation does not describe how a risk assessment should look like, but as a minimum, it should describe how to perform the work in question, what dangers to look for, and what measures envisaged to ensure proper job performance.

It is important that everyone on board take care of their own and others safety and do not violate what has been agreed upon in advance. If a task does not have a procedure or it hasn`t been looked at earlier, crew on board should speak out when they see the danger, and always before the task is performed.

Links:

Regulations of 1 January 2005 No. 8 concerning the working environment, health and safety of persons working on board ship (see Chapter 2) - https://www.sjofartsdir.no/en/legislation/regulations/regulation-of-1-j nuary-2005-no-8-concerning-the-working-environment-health-and-safety-of-workers-on-board-ship/

Regulations of 15 June 1987 No. 507 on safety measures, etc. on passenger ships, cargo ships and lighters (see Chapter 2) - https://www.sjofartsdir.no/en/legislation/regulations/safety-measures-etc-on-passenger-ships-cargo-ships-and-lighters/

Regulations of 13 June 2000 on the construction, operation, equipment and surveys of fishing vessels of 15 m in overall length (LOA) and upwards (see Section 6-7) - https://www.sjofartsdir.no/en/legislation/regulations/construction-operation-equipment-and-surveys-of-fishing-vessels-15-m-in-overall-length-loa-and-over/