Lost time injury (LTI): Hand cut during cutting operations
- Safety Flash
- Published on 4 September 2012
- Generated on 24 August 2025
- IMCA SF 09/12
- 1 minute read
A Member has reported an incident in which a welder badly cut his hand using a hand-held circular cutting tool.
What happened?
The incident occurred when a sub-contractor welder was cutting off an air vent in preparation for further welding work. Shortly after he started work, there was a loud shout and the chief mate rushed to him to find out that the welder has cut his palm all the way to his two fingers. First aid treatment was administered before he was taken to hospital for surgery. It was confirmed that two of his finger bones and veins were broken and cut off respectively.
Our Member’s investigation noted the following:
- The welder had been through job hazard analysis (JHA) training on the morning of the day of the incident.
- The welder was rushing to finish the job.
- The welder replaced the blade in his cutting machine but was distracted and failed to fix back in place the blade protective guard.
Cutting machine (with blade guard fitted)
Hand/arm following treatment
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.