Death of seafarer due to fall from crane cabin

On a vessel at anchor awaiting berthing instructions, two crew members were tasked with cleaning the interiors of the cargo crane cabins, which required maintenance after recent cargo operations. About 30 minutes into the work, one of the seafarers fell 12m from the cabin of one of the cargo cranes to the deck below. The seafarer was fatally injured by the fall.

There was no evidence that fatigue, substance use, or adverse weather played a role in the incident. 

The safety investigation determined that the most probable cause of the fall was the failure of the sealing mechanism of the bottom window in the cabin of the cargo crane. The crew member fell through the bottom window, which gave under their weight.

• Grating Removal: The protective steel grating over the window was removed to access the glass for cleaning due to a seized cabin air vent handle. Normally, the grating is swung out to clean the glass, but due to the obstruction from seized air vent handle, the seafarer had to remove it completely, leaving the fragile glass exposed.
• The glass pane and rubber seal were not designed to support any weight. Also, the glass may have been previously weakened.
• Seal Failure: The rubber seal (double C-channel type) possibly failed under weight of the seafarer.
• Corrosion: Thinning of metal around the window frame may have weakened the structure.
• There was no fall arrest nor PPE used.
• There were no safety barriers:
  • No physical guard remained after grating was removed.
  • No alarms or interlocks to prevent or warn against barrier removal.
  • No warning signs to alert the seafarer to the hazard.