Finger injury during shackle handling

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 13 July 2023
  • Generated on 18 September 2025
  • IMCA SF 17/23
  • 1 minute read

During a pennant wire spooling operation, the injured person was trying to remove a 35 tonne SWL shackle from the pennant eye. 

What happened?

While trying to jiggle the shackle, it landed on the person's left middle finger causing a crush injury 1.5cm long.

During a pennant wire spooling operation, the injured person was trying to remove a 35 tonne SWL shackle from the pennant eye. While trying to jiggle the shackle, it landed on his left middle finger causing a crush injury 1.5cm long.
• The task supervisor (the Bosun) saw the crew person holding the shackle but did not warn him or intervene; • There was no last minute risk assessment carried out; • The shackle as initially used was the wrong size.

What went wrong?

  • The task supervisor (the Bosun) saw the crew person holding the shackle but did not warn him or intervene.

  • There was no last minute risk assessment carried out.

  • The shackle as initially used was the wrong size.

Actions

  • The task supervisor is in charge to control the operation, ensure it is safely conducted, and that the proper tools are used. It is the responsibility of the task supervisor to intervene.

  • Use appropriate tools such as crow bars and hammers to release heavy shackles, rather than your hands. Do not expose your hands by handling heavy items.

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