Near-miss: Fire axe falls out of cabinet, almost hits a fireman’s toes
- Safety Flash
- Published on 2 June 2015
- Generated on 24 March 2026
- IMCA SF 08/15
- 1 minute read
The Danish organisationSeahealth.dk has published the following near miss report of how an axe fell from a cabinet, narrowly missing someone’s toes.
What happened?
A crewman was preparing to get fire-fighting equipment out of the fireman’s equipment cabinet, when the fire axe fell out and fell 1.5m to the floor. The axe landed blade down only a few centimetres from the crewman – who at that moment was in his socks, wearing no toe-cap boots, as he was preparing to don a fireman’s outfit.
This cartoon can be found at uk.nearmiss.dk/media/24433/Axe-UK.jpg.
This cartoon neatly explains the difference between unsafe conditions, unsafe acts, near misses, and actual incidents. Further similar cartoons and explanatory information was available at uk.nearmiss.dk/knowledge/what-is-what/
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.