Person slipped on stairway while wearing shoe covers

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 1 July 2023
  • Generated on 16 October 2026
  • IMCA SF 16/23
  • 1 minute read

A person was making their way down a vessel staircase, wearing coveralls and safety boots with company approved shoe covers on.

What happened?

While descending the stairs, the person slipped down approximately four steps on the staircase. The person had a firm grip hand on the handrail at the time of the incident and thereby, further slippage was prevented.

The strain of preventing a worse fall caused muscular pain on the left side of the person’s torso and their left shoulder.

A person was making their way down a vessel staircase, wearing coveralls and safety boots with company approved shoe covers on. While descending the stairs, the person slipped down approximately four steps on the staircase. The person had a firm grip hand on the handrail at the time of the incident and thereby, further slippage was prevented. The strain of preventing a worse fall caused muscular pain on the left side of the person’s torso and their left shoulder.

What went wrong?

  • The grip on the injured person’s cloth shoe covers had worn away over time.

  • The person had not removed the cloth shoe covers upon exiting the accommodation area.

Actions

  • Wearing shoe covers on stairs presents a potential slip hazard, and they should be removed upon exiting areas (such as the accommodation) where they are required.

  • Inspect shoe covers before use to check the grip – and replace as necessary.

Latest Safety Flashes:

Hydraulic oil leak detected below moonpool

A hydraulic oil leak was identified below the moonpool after the worktable doors were opened.

Read more
Dropped scaffold board (kickplate) – SIF near miss

A scaffolding kickboard was accidentally dropped falling from a height of 6.5 metres to the main deck.

Read more
H₂S detected on deck

During vessel transit back to port, Hydrogen Sulphide (H₂S) was detected in the open space on the main deck.

Read more
Restoration and verification after maintenance

A missing flooring panel was identified beneath a 415V bow thruster electrical motor cabinet.

Read more
Vessel contact during materiel transfer in adverse weather

One vessel lost heading and position control because of the strong winds and swell, pushing it toward another.

Read more
More Safety from IMCA

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.

We may use anonymised cookies for some functionality on this site. With your consent, we would also like to use tracking to improve our online offering. Find out more.