Personal injury following PPE violation and slip and fall on deck
- Safety Flash
- Published on 5 April 2019
- Generated on 18 August 2025
- IMCA SF 06/19
- 2 minute read
A vessel Master was injured when he went to the main deck to perform routine checks without safety footwear or a safety helmet.
What happened?
While walking on the wet main deck, the Master slipped and fell, sustaining an injury on his head.
Following first aid administered onboard, he was taken to a local hospital for investigation, and it was confirmed there were no other consequences other than abrasions on the affected area.
What went wrong? What were the causes?
This alert emphasises the following:
- Leading by (bad) example – all of us should be role models for a good safety culture, but most especially those in leadership positions.
- The importance of PPE compliance – neglecting the use of personal protective equipment is not only a breach of the PPE procedure, but also a disregard for your own person.
- Acceptance of unsafe behaviour – all should be empowered and expected to exercise the ‘stop work policy’.
- A personal decision was made to cut corners – this incident is evidence that shortcuts very rarely save time or energy; the ‘shortcut’ in this case actually cost his colleagues and the company a lot of unplanned time and effort to take proper care of his injury.
What actions were taken?
Formal warning issued given the deliberate violation of a safety procedure.
Related Safety Flashes
-
IMCA SF 03/19
27 February 2019
-
IMCA SF 31/17
15 December 2017
-
-
IMCA SF 12/17
25 May 2017
-
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.