Worker fell into sea from gangway and drowned
- Safety Flash
- Published on 30 January 2020
- Generated on 18 September 2025
- IMCA SF 03/20
- 1 minute read
The Singapore Tripartite Alliance for Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) has published Accident Notification 1920060 relating to a fatal fall from a gangway. This incident is still under investigation.
What happened?
On 23 October 2019 around 5 pm, a worker embarking onto a launch boat from a vessel gangway lost his balance and fell into the sea.
The body of the worker was subsequently found in the sea.
Figure 1: Photo of the vessel and its gangway
Figure 2: Photo of the launch boat
Actions
The WSH makes a number of recommendations including:
- pre-embarkation briefing
- ensuring workers are physically fit for the transfer
- ensuring transfer takes place in favourable conditions
- ensuring all are properly briefed on safe use of gangways
- ensuring that there is sufficient and appropriate supervision of transfers
- wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
A fuller treatment of the incident is available here.
Members may wish to refer to:
- Guidance on the transfer of personnel to and from offshore vessels and structures (IMCA HSS025)
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