Finger crushed under Tether Management System (TMS) protection guard

What happened

A worker suffered a crushed finger when the protection guard of a Saab Seaeye TMS8 Tether Management System fell on their finger. The worker was closing and securing the protection guard and lost grip on the guard. The guard fell down and trapped the left ring fingertip between the guard and the TMS frame. Upon removal of the glove it was identified the fingertip was damaged. The injured person went straight to the medic, who verified that the injury warranted hospitalisation, and the injured person was taken to hospital onshore.

What went right

• The injured person received medical help immediately and could be taken ashore for treatment quickly.

What went wrong – what was the cause

• With the two top pins removed the TMS guard can fall down if not safely supported – as when grip is lost;
• It was cold; there was no weather protection – cold hands;
• The worker was keen to complete the task in hand;
• The worker was not wearing the correct type of gloves;
• The task not fully risk accessed; there was no specific procedure/training to follow for guard removal.

Actions

The design of guards and securing method is under review for potential improvements. In the meantime a procedure for safe guard removal and refitting was generated and issued to all TMS8 owners as detailed in the bulletin here and copied below.

Members may wish to refer to:

• Lost time injury (LTI): Finger injury whilst working in engine room [the trainee wiper’s hand slipped from the rope causing sudden drop of the pipe]
• Dropped Object – door detached from TMS during dive