This is not a drill…an LTI during a drill (MSF)
- Safety Flash
- Published on 12 May 2022
- Generated on 16 September 2025
- IMCA SF 12/22
- 2 minute read
The Marine Safety Forum (MSF) reports in Safety Alert 22-08 an incident in which someone was injured during a drill.
What happened?
Crew on a vessel were undertaking a programme of drills and exercises. A stretcher and casualty handling drill was being conducted on-board the vessels daughter craft when the incident occurred.
As part of the scenario and setting the scene, one person was to close the door of the daughter craft. He placed his right hand on the inner door frame not realising that his thumb was overlapping on the inside of the frame. He used his left hand to close the door with force, entrapping his right thumb and inflicting a severe open fracture. His wound was cleaned and dressed, and he was subsequently medevac’d to shore.
What went wrong?
Subsequent investigation determined that the root cause was lack of situational awareness and poor judgement. Though a very experienced seafarer, he “got carried away” – he had lost focus on his own actions and was concerned with ensuring that the exercise was being completed correctly.
Actions
- Check whether door design can be amended to assess potential preventative measures.
- Use a ‘Time Out for Safety’ to highlight the trapping point and raising awareness of the potential hazard on the cabin door frame.
Related Safety Flashes
-
IMCA SF 06/22
11 March 2022
-
-
IMCA SF 22/21
11 August 2021
-
IMCA SF 25/18
9 November 2018
-
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.