Line of fire: Cutting injury to index finger
- Safety Flash
- Published on 5 July 2019
- Generated on 14 November 2025
- IMCA SF 16/19
- 2 minute read
Whilst using a safety knife to remove the outer sheaving from a core conductor, a crew member managed to cut his finger.
What happened?
The safety knife slipped through the sheaving and resulted in a wound to the soft tissue of the fingerprint area of the left index finger, and a superficial laceration near the mid-point of his ring finger nail.
re-construction of the cutting activity
the injury received to index finger
What was the cause?
Additional underlying/root causes also identified by our member are listed below:
- The risk assessment did not detail suitable control measures to ensure that people were not in the line of fire, nor did it specify the specific tools or PPE to carry out this task.
- There had been no task risk assessment (TRA) directly before starting the job.
What actions were taken? What lessons were learned?
- ‘Engineer out’ potential line of fire injuries; in this instance, alternative tooling and technique to be utilised for the removal of outer sheaving from a core conductor
- Continue embedding the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) Life Saving Rules within the company processes and culture
- Risk assessment should be suitable and sufficient for the task to be performed, specifying the correct tool(s) and PPE; the correct PPE should be readily available and used.
Members may wish to refer to:
- IMCA safety video: Be prepared to work safely: Watch your hands
Related Safety Flashes
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IMCA SF 23/17
21 September 2017
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IMCA SF 05/13
4 April 2013
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IMCA SF 06/10
27 September 2010
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