Fall through open hatch in walkway
- Safety Flash
- Published on 24 April 2008
- Generated on 2 October 2026
- IMCA SF 08/08
- 2 minute read
A Member has reported an incident onboard an offshore construction vessel in which a crew member fell through an unprotected hatch on a walkway on to the deck below.
What happened?
The injuries sustained were only slight bruising and abrasions to left arm, upper chest and left knee. Whilst the injuries were light, the potential for serious injury was high.
The hatch, which had been installed along with an access ladder when an additional air conditioning (AC) unit was placed on top of the bridge, had been left tied open by another worker. The crew member fell through the hatch after raising a safety barrier on the walkway whilst going to inspect some heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) air ducts.
Following investigation, the following points were noted:
- The addition of the hatch in the walkway should have been risk assessed and a management of change (MoC) process followed.
- Following this incident the ladder access to HVAC air ducts was relocated to an area outside the walkway, thus eliminating the need for a hatch. The hatch was welded shut.
- Personnel were reminded never to leave a hatchway open without it being barricaded on all sides.
- Personnel were reminded never to raise a safety barrier in haste or to enter a danger zone without evaluating potential dangers.
Before
Before
After
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.