Near miss: narrowly avoided fall from height due to missing deck gratings

During a docking, a grating was removed from a mezzanine level in the bow thruster space to allow lifting of machinery components from the bottom plates. Signs and barriers were installed at the bottom of the companionway leading up to the mezzanine, and around the missing section of deck itself. On completion of the lifting operation, the yard contractors removed the lifting equipment, along with the barriers around the hole. The barrier across the stairs remained in place, but the grating was not replaced at this time.

Subsequently, the Chief Engineer, on the way to inspect the work, entered the mezzanine level using a vertical access ladder directly from the forecastle, which had not been signed/barriered. At the bottom of the ladder he turned, took one step, and his next step was into the hole. He only managed to prevent a fall of 4-5m by instinctively reaching out to break his fall, ending up supported by his forearms and one leg, with the other hanging through the hole.

The main access, and the worksite itself had been well barriered and signed.

• The possibility that workers would use the vertical ladder had not been considered.
• It is unclear why, after removing the lifting gear and worksite barriers, the grating had not simply been replaced immediately, there being no further work planned.

• Lack of hazard awareness in missing the possibility that a ‘secondary’ access route could be used.
• The hierarchy of risk controls was not applied – replacing the grating straight away would have eliminated the hazard, as well as the need for any signs and barriers at all.