Safety Flash
Near Miss: Fire blanket caught fire during third-party hot work
Near Miss: Fire blanket caught fire during third-party hot work
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 25/19
- Contractor ManagementControl of WorkHot Work and Fire
- Fire
- Hot work
- Contractor managementFire protectionRisk assessmentSafety communication
- Marine industry
- Port and quaysideVessel
Summary
A fire blanket ignited aboard a vessel in port after contractors paused sea-fastening work for lunch. A second mate extinguished the fire; no injuries occurred. Preliminary observations highlighted unrecognised ember hazards, inadequate fire-watch clearance and potentially poor blanket quality. Lessons address risk assessments, fire-watch responsibilities and contractor supervision.
Classifications: Fire; fire safety.
Classifications: Hot work; welding and cutting.
Classifications: Contractor management; contractor assurance.
Classifications: Fire protection; fire suppression; fire detection.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Safety communication; toolbox talk; toolbox talks.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Port and quayside; quayside; harbour; harbor.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
While conducting a fire watch round on a vessel in port, a 2nd mate noticed that a fire blanket on the midships fire hose box had caught fire. He immediately reported this to the Bridge and used an extinguisher to put the fire out.
IMCA SF 25/19. Themes: contractor management, control of work, hot work and fire.