Safety Flash
LTI: fingers severed by spinning fan blade
LTI: fingers severed by spinning fan blade
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 16/24
- Control of WorkHand and Finger InjuriesLine of FireMachinery and Equipment
- Hand and finger injuriesLine of fire
- Manual handling
- Rotating machinery
- Control of workMachine guardingSafety communication
- Vessel
Summary
A vessel worker lost three fingers while moving a portable blower during engine-room housekeeping after switching off its power. The fan remained in motion, its guard was inadequate and its handle obstructed. The flash highlights residual momentum, unseen moving parts and the importance of using designated handles and guards.
Classifications: Hand and finger injuries; finger injury; hand injury.
Classifications: Line of fire; struck-by hazards.
Classifications: Manual handling; manual lifting.
Classifications: Rotating machinery; rotating equipment.
Classifications: Control of work; work control.
Classifications: Machine guarding; machinery guards; machine guards.
Classifications: Safety communication; toolbox talk; toolbox talks.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
Worker tried to move the portable blower by hand, grabbing the side of the fan instead of using the designated handle resulting in severed fingers.
IMCA SF 16/24. Themes: control of work, hand and finger injuries, line of fire, machinery and equipment.