Safety Flash
Drill bit snapped: Finger injury sustained
Drill bit snapped: Finger injury sustained
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 13/17
- Hand and Finger InjuriesMachinery and Equipment
- Hand and finger injuriesMechanical failure
- Hand tools
- Competence and trainingSafety communication
- Marine industry
Summary
A crewman injured his left thumbnail when an electric drill bit broke while attaching a broom head to a stick. Although the stick was secured in a vice, he held the head by hand. The flash identifies risk misperception and improper tool handling, with crew briefings and training proposed.
Classifications: Hand and finger injuries; finger injury; hand injury.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Hand tools; hand-held tools; handheld tools.
Classifications: Competence and training; competency assurance; safety training.
Classifications: Safety communication; toolbox talk; toolbox talks.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Summary
A crewman was using an electric drill to fix a broom head to a broom stick, when the drill bit snapped off, causing the drill to slip, penetrating the crew member's safety glove and slightly dislodging the nail from his thumb.
IMCA SF 13/17. Themes: hand and finger injuries, machinery and equipment.