Near miss: Failure of work procedures during hot work at height
- Safety Flash
- Published on 6 March 2020
- Generated on 13 September 2025
- IMCA SF 09/20
- 1 minute read
During a crew change handover walk around the vessel hull, the Master observed a welder working close to the open/unsecured edge of a PS davit area
What happened?
The incident occurred during planned installation of additional access support plates at the port side davit area.
A ‘hot work permit to work’ was raised for completion of welding activities; the work area was agreed, a risk assessment conducted, and a toolbox talk (TBT) signed off by all participants.
Welding operations were immediately stopped, and additional fall prevention measures installed.
Red arrow showing welder working with unprotected edge behind and potential to fall into water
What was the cause?
The person authorising the work did not properly assess the work area.
Unprotected edge-related working at height hazards were left unattended with no safety precautions considered.
What went wrong?
- STOP WORK AUTHORITY was not applied.
- Risk seen as tolerable: the person working near the unprotected edge considered the job as a ‘quick 5-minute task, so nothing to worry about’.
Related Safety Flashes
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IMCA SF 06/20
19 February 2020
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IMCA SF 04/11
19 April 2011
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