LTI: Foot injury after standing on rotating winch drum

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 5 July 2019
  • Generated on 26 February 2026
  • IMCA SF 16/19
  • 1 minute read

An AB was taking part in a task to re-spool a wire onto an aft deck tugger winch, when he climbed onto the side of the tugger winch and, whilst stood there, the rotating winch drum trapped both his feet.  

What happened?

The AB's injuries include a fractured foot and severe abrasions. 

His boots (proper personal protective equipment (PPE)) prevented a much more serious injury.

AB had both feet trapped by rotating winch drum; more serious injury was prevented by wearing the correct PPE
despite wearing correct PPE boots, the AB suffered a fractured foot and severe abrasions

What went wrong?

  • The crewman failed to identify the hazards associated with the tugger winch.

  • None of his colleagues intervened or told him to stop when they might easily have STOPPED the job’ when he put himself in the line of fire.

  • The risk assessment was inadequate – it did not include this particular hazard associated with the tugger winch.

What actions were taken? What lessons were learned?

  • “Hazard hunt” focusing on winches and the hazards associated with them.

  • Review of risk assessments related to deck operations to ensure that the hazards associated with winches are captured.

  • Someone was injured because no-one intervened or stopped the job; remind all that it’s OK to STOP the job if it’s unsafe.

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