Two recent incidents involving injuries
- Safety Flash
- Published on 25 June 2012
- Generated on 23 October 2026
- IMCA SF 06/12
- 1 minute read
The Marine Safety Forum (MSF) has published two safety flashes regarding incidents in which workers onboard vessels have injured themselves.
- The first incident occurred when a crewman was using an electric angle grinder at the top of a ladder and lost his balance, dropping the grinder, which caused a cut above his right knee.
- The second incident occurred when an engineer was working on an electric air compressor which had not been switched off, isolated or tagged out. The machine started up whilst his fingers were in the path of the fan, causing lacerations of his fingers which resulted in the vessel being re-routed back to port. Isolation of the compressor was not conducted as the engineer deemed the task to be a ‘two minute job’.
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.