Safety Flash
Near-miss: Open hatches left without barriers
Near-miss: Open hatches left without barriers
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 27/16
- Confined SpaceContractor ManagementSimultaneous OperationsWorking at Height
- Falls from height
- Inspection and maintenance
- Storage tanks
- Fall preventionRisk assessmentSimultaneous operations coordinationStop-work authority
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
During contractor tank cleaning aboard a supply vessel, ten hatches remained open for ventilation without individual barriers, despite taped area barricading and a standby person. The flash describes an unchallenged fall hazard and subsequent work stoppage, risk assessment review, clarification of simultaneous-operation responsibilities, and ordering of barriers and vented grating.
Classifications: Falls from height; fall from height.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Storage tanks; atmospheric tanks.
Classifications: Fall prevention; edge protection; guardrails.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Simultaneous operations coordination; SIMOPS; simultaneous operations.
Classifications: Stop-work authority; stop work; stop-work intervention.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
Open tank hatches were left without individual barriers during cleaning, creating an uncontrolled fall hazard amid concurrent contractor and vessel activities.
IMCA SF 27/16. Themes: confined space, contractor management, simultaneous operations, working at height.