Control
First Aid and Medical Provision
Workplace first aid, treatment capability and medical-service arrangements.
Documents
- 2026Apr
Offshore First Aid and Medical Provision Inspection Guide
Inspection guidance for assessing first aid and medical provision on offshore installations. It addresses site-specific needs assessments, medic and first-aider staffing, qualifications, medical emergency response plans and treatment facilities. Checklists examine medicines, records, equipment assurance and emergency exercises, alongside compliance scoring and enforcement assessment.
- 202611 Mar
Loss of propulsion in heavy weather experienced by the passenger vessel Spirit of Discovery, leading to over 100 injuries and one fatality
Investigation of Spirit of Discovery’s repeated propulsion losses in heavy weather in the Bay of Biscay. It examines pod overspeed protection, automatic pod parking, weather routing, furniture securing and medical response. Violent vessel motion injured 115 passengers; one passenger sustained a spinal injury and died four days later.
- 2026Mar
Personal Safety (USCG)
US Coast Guard inspection questions address personnel safety on manned and unmanned OCS platforms. They link protective equipment, housekeeping, deck guarding, lifesaving provision, escape arrangements and emergency drills to regulatory authorities and enforcement actions. Individual entries carry update labels, including March 2026 changes to escape and survival equipment checks.
- 202510 Dec
Qualifications of medical personnel on offshore facilities guidance note
Guidance on qualifications and competency assurance for medical personnel at offshore petroleum facilities. It sets out legislative duties, recommended remote healthcare experience and a risk-based approach to staffing. It discusses telemedicine, multiple-casualty resources, diving medical support and additional measures where dedicated medical personnel may be impracticable.
- 2025Sep
1 - Big people in lifeboats and lifesaving appliances
Guidance for offshore dutyholders on accommodating increasing worker weight and size in evacuation and rescue arrangements. It explains statistical passenger design-weight calculations, capacity adjustments, seating and restraint suitability, and considerations for other lifesaving appliances and medical equipment. It also addresses verification, interim arrangements and safety-case changes.
- 202514 Aug
Brazil: diver permanently disabled after decompression illness
A Brazilian diver suffered permanent disability following decompression illness after underwater inspection and maintenance at 26 m. The flash describes a malfunctioning hyperbaric chamber, delayed treatment elsewhere, and deficiencies in emergency planning, transport and communication. It highlights related IMCA guidance on therapeutic deck decompression chamber operations.
- 202514 Aug
Diver reports unwell post-dive: non-decompression illness
A diver developed severe nausea and dizziness about an hour after surfacing. Recompression and medical examination identified dangerously high blood sugar; decompression illness was ruled out and hyperglycaemia suspected. The flash describes revised chamber treatment, evacuation ashore and recommendations on declaring medical conditions, recognising symptoms and maintaining fitness.
- 202510 Apr
Swamping of small commercial vessel Calypso 2 with loss of 2 lives
Investigation of Calypso 2’s swamping in a coastal cove in Anguilla, resulting in two drowning fatalities. The report examines exposure to ground seas, excursion risk assessment, passage planning, flotation-device use and regulatory oversight. It also analyses distress alerting, casualty recovery and medical provision, recommending improvements to vessel management and rescue arrangements.
- 202416 Jul
BSEE Safety Alert 486 - Heat Advisory
BSEE alerts offshore workers to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, outlining symptoms, preventive measures and treatment. It recommends that operators and contractors, where appropriate, consider employee advice, periodic rest breaks, stop-work authority and job safety analysis using the OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool. The information does not replace professional medical advice.
- 202416 Jul
Equipment fell on someone’s leg causing injury
A worker cleaning a bow thruster room suffered a leg injury when an unsecured auxiliary engine cooler shifted during equipment movement. Delayed treatment worsened the injury, and reporting took three days. The flash emphasises organised storage, securing loose parts, removing unusable spares, prompt reporting and immediate attention to injuries.
- 202416 Apr
Lone worker collapsed at onshore site
A lone worker at an onshore workshop collapsed because of a pre-existing, non-work-related medical condition and was discovered the following day. The flash examines delayed alarm raising and absent personnel tracking, highlighting lone-working risk assessment, medical screening, health surveillance and consideration of automatic fall alarms.
- 202427 Feb
LTI: Damage and personal injury arising from heavy weather
A rogue wave forced open a vessel’s weathertight crane-pedestal door. While attempting to close it, a crew member was struck by incoming water and washed down two flights of stairs, sustaining serious injuries. The flash examines door orientation, coordinated medical care and recommendations to reposition the door and maintain weather awareness.
- 202412 Feb
US BSEE: Are your emergency procedures and equipment good enough?
This flash summarises BSEE inspection findings at offshore sites in the Gulf of Mexico, highlighting weaknesses in medical evacuation, emergency plans, supplies, drills and rescue equipment. Evacuation reports showed an average 6.8 hours to reach medical facilities. Recommendations address procedure updates, crew awareness and equipment inventory checks.
- 202320 Oct
BSEE Identifies Medical Evacuation and Emergency Hazards During Risk-Based Inspections
BSEE inspections identified deficiencies in offshore medical evacuation arrangements, supplies, emergency plans and drills. Findings included inaccessible defibrillators, unsuitable Stokes litters, obstructed escape routes and helideck concerns. The alert recommends operators and contractors consider procedure reviews, supply checks, realistic drills and assessment of medical response times.
- 202322 Aug
Heat Advisory - Heat Related Illnesses Occurring Offshore
This alert describes two offshore cases involving dehydration symptoms and severe heat exhaustion, including treatment and transfer ashore. It outlines heat exhaustion and heat stroke symptoms and recommends that operators and contractors consider hydration, cooling breaks, medical attention, work/rest policies, stop-work authority and task-level hazard assessment where appropriate.
- 202316 Mar
Broken Breaker Bar Injury with Medical Evaluation Guidance
A wrongly sized breaker bar fractured during star-nut removal, causing a worker to fall into a steel beam and sustain dental and lip injuries. The alert shares tool inspection, selection, positioning and stop-work lessons, and recommends considering medical-treatment options, worker privacy and regulatory reporting obligations.
- 2023
CHIRP Superyacht FEEDBACK 4 (Autumn 2023)
This superyacht digest analyses an allergic reaction, faulty gangway installation, a dive-vessel capsize, berth-departure contact, mooring injuries and grounding followed by dismissal of a reporting watchkeeper. Commentary examines equipment certification, stability testing, medical preparedness, line-handling teamwork, passage planning and constructive challenges to unsafe decisions.
- 202222 Jul
Mixing of cleaning chemicals
A worker mixing bleach and toilet cleaner in a tug’s toilet area experienced chemical vapour exposure and was diagnosed with chemical bronchitis. The flash describes onboard treatment and assessment ashore, identifies limited domestic chemical awareness, and records training materials, revised risk assessments and a review of chemical stocks.
- 202220 Jul
Unsafe Working Practices Result in Crane Injury
A mechanic sustained a severe leg fracture when a crane boom dropped during a boom tip changeout. The alert describes omitted rigging and safety pins, shortcomings in job safety analysis, and lifesaving first aid. BSEE recommends operators and contractors consider stronger task reviews, written disassembly procedures and stop-work practices.
- 202220 Jun
Infection: a scratched elbow turns into an LTI
A technician scratched an elbow while climbing out from beneath a wind turbine generator slipring. The wound became infected and required surgery after antibiotics failed, resulting in lost time. The flash identifies difficult ergonomics, inadequate first aid and poor follow-up, and calls for reinforced wound-care training and supervisor–employee communication.
- 202222 Mar
MAIB: Unexploded ordnance – subsea explosion causes injury and damage
This safety flash summarises a seabed bomb explosion during crab-pot hauling by Galwad-Y-Mor in the North Sea. Five crew members suffered significant injuries, while the vessel sustained major damage and flooding. It highlights effective distress communication, evacuation, rescue and casualty triage, alongside the hull’s resistance to the blast.
- 202220 Jan
Subsea explosion resulting in damage to crab potting vessel Galwad-Y-Mor and injuries to crew
Investigation of a seabed bomb explosion during crab-pot recovery by Galwad-Y-Mor, causing vessel damage, flooding and significant crew injuries. The report assesses potting-gear disturbance of likely wartime ordnance, fragment examination and explosive traces, alongside watertight subdivision, crew preparedness, rescue and casualty triage.
- 202111 Aug
All of a sudden – “this is not a drill” – person injured during a drill
A vessel crew member lost consciousness while being lifted during a rescue-at-height drill involving suspension in a safety harness. The flash discusses possible suspension trauma, uncertainty over whether distress was simulated, and prompt first aid. It emphasises assessing drill risks and using suspension trauma relief straps while awaiting rescue.
- 20212 Jun
Learning outcomes from a real time diver recovery
A saturation diving team reviews recovery of an incapacitated diver into a bell and transfer arrangements through six-metre trunking. Lessons address loose recovery rope, a pocket-mask seal compressed at depth, ROV observation, realistic weighted-mannequin drills, supervisor exercises and proposed greater medic involvement and CPR refresher training.
- 20212 Feb
COVID-19 Improper Risk Management
A vessel sailed while a repeat COVID-19 PCR result was pending, contrary to approved crew-change mitigations. The subsequent positive result required 14 days of onboard isolation, with no further infections reported. The flash addresses formal change approval, obtaining test results before sailing, medical fitness and access to adequate care.
- 202013 Jul
And finishing on a positive note: A CPR success story – “we saved a life that day”
A crew member survived repeated cardiac arrests following immediate CPR, medic intervention and further treatment before medical air transport. He returned home after three days in hospital. The flash highlights coordinated first-aid and search-and-rescue responses, leadership and preparedness, and encourages additional basic CPR training.
- 202020 Mar
COVID-19 update
This safety flash outlines COVID-19 transmission and shipboard prevention and mitigation measures, including hygiene, distancing, patient isolation, protective equipment and medical consultation. It presents an illustrative fleet access policy based on travel, symptoms and exposure criteria, alongside links to international and maritime guidance available in March 2020.
- 201912 Nov
Snake on-board vessel
A safety walk round found a snake on an anchor winch aboard a vessel anchored near a port. The flash notes that snakes can climb chains and ropes in some ports and outlines first-aid measures and arrangements for shore medical assistance following a snake bite.
- 2019
Regulatory expectations for emergency response arrangements for the offshore renewable energy industry
Sets out regulatory expectations for self-reliant emergency arrangements at offshore renewable energy developments. Covers site-specific risk assessment, measurable performance standards, command responsibilities, communications, muster, evacuation, escape, rescue and medical care. Explains requirements for emergency equipment and periodic reviews across the installation lifecycle, with statutory provisions and definitions appended.
- 201821 Mar
Man overboard from stern trawler Constant Friend with loss of 1 life
This investigation examines a fatal boarding accident at Kilkeel Harbour involving Constant Friend and Silver Harvester. It analyses hazardous guardrail crossings, wet surfaces, vessel movement and probable alcohol-related impairment. The report assesses shortcomings in boarding risk controls, rescue and resuscitation, and recommends reviewing access guidance and improving emergency notification arrangements.
- 201720 Oct
Loss of sight in right eye: Misdiagnosis of illness
A cargo-vessel crew member lost sight in his right eye after a liver infection spread. He had self-medicated for a presumed cold before seeking the Master’s help, and the Master also misdiagnosed the illness. The flash highlights prompt medical reporting and registration of private medication with shipboard management.
- 201712 Apr
Eye injury: Crewman got something in his eye when removing his PPE
A seafarer suffered an eye injury when rust debris trapped on his face shield fell into his left eye during removal after chipping work. Initial eyewashing was followed by delayed reporting and clinic treatment. The flash emphasises prompt reporting and careful removal of head and face protection.
- 201712 Jan
Accident during cargo operations on general cargo vessel Johanna C with loss of 1 life
Investigates a fatal fall during repositioning of a steel crankshaft web aboard Johanna C at Songkhla, Thailand. The chief officer stood on the load as it was lifted; sudden movement possibly involved slipping slings. Analysis examines rigging, unrecognised risks, procedural deviations and medical response, recording subsequent company and regulatory action without recommendations.
- 201620 Dec
First aid injury: Person scalded by steam condensate
A vessel pantry worker suffered a scald to his right forearm when boiler condensate drained through a retrofitted plastic tube into the dishwashing sink. The flash discusses prompt cooling and first aid, replacement of the temporary drainage arrangement, reporting unsafe conditions and exercising stop-work authority.
- 2016Apr
Health care and first aid on offshore installations and pipeline works
This Approved Code of Practice explains offshore first-aid and healthcare requirements under OFAR. It addresses assessment of provision, sick-bay arrangements, emergency medical support and employer responsibilities for selecting competent medics and first-aiders. Training, certification and requalification requirements distinguish the two roles, alongside exclusions affecting diving projects and standby vessels.
- 20163 Mar
Malaria fatality
A non-immune contractor working offshore Ghana died from malaria complications after two negative rapid diagnostic tests and referral ashore. The flash identifies absent bite prevention and prophylaxis, alongside delayed diagnosis and treatment. It reiterates refresher training, early treatment and timely diagnostic kit use.
- 20165 Feb
Person accidentally drank hazardous substance
A bosun undertaking deck maintenance mistakenly drank thinners from a bottle labelled as drinking water, spat out the liquid and sought first aid. The flash identifies unsuitable containers, poor chemical storage and labelling, incorrect safety data sheets and absent oversight. Lessons address suitable containers, clear labels and accessible chemical information.
- 201519 Nov
Lost time injury (LTI) following stored energy release and subsequent serious infection of wound
A diver disconnecting a damaged flexible pipe subsea was struck in the leg by an unexpectedly released flange. The wound subsequently developed gangrene despite initial treatment. The flash discusses shortcomings in engineering and stress analysis, possible stored-energy precautions, body positioning and wound aftercare, including antibiotic treatment and awareness of waterborne microbial agents.
- 201519 Nov
Maintenance of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs)
An audit identified deficiencies in defibrillator storage and maintenance at a member’s dive sites, including removed or detached batteries. The flash describes checks on battery installation and equipment expiry, readiness testing against manufacturer instructions, crew familiarisation and inclusion of AED maintenance in the planned maintenance system.
- 201521 Aug
Drowning in swimming pool on the passenger cruise ship Sapphire Princess with loss of 1 life
This investigation examines a passenger’s probable drowning in Sapphire Princess’s Neptune Pool. It analyses absent pool supervision, language difficulties delaying the emergency call and limited initial resuscitation. The report recommends documented swimming-pool risk assessment and familiarisation training or sufficient information and instruction for hotel staff to respond immediately to medical emergencies.
- 201431 Oct
Lost time injury (LTI): Fall overboard/fall from height
A hopper-barge crew member suffered serious spinal injuries after losing balance while refitting a mooring line in adverse harbour weather, falling from about 2 m onto a quay-wall fender. The flash examines lone working, absent restraint and inadequate risk assessment, with lessons on securing personnel, mooring arrangements and handling suspected spinal injuries.
- 201423 Sep
Hydraulic injection injury
An HSE safety alert describes a maintenance fitter’s fatal hydraulic injection injury during piling-rig track tensioning after a grease nipple detached. It explains pressure-driven tissue damage and fluid toxicity, recommends checking fittings and ensuring replacement compatibility, and stresses appropriate pressure-test precautions and immediate professional medical treatment.
- 20148 Sep
Diver injured after being trapped underwater
A diver became buried in sand during underwater sheet pile removal at an abandoned quay. Rescue attempts using a caviblaster failed; crane recovery damaged his harness and disrupted breathing supplies. He was subsequently lifted clear, resuscitated and hospitalised. Initial conditional findings discuss recovery arrangements, communication difficulties and access to medical information.
- 201410 Apr
Decompression illness (DCI) incident during routine decompression of divers from saturation
A saturation diver developed mild decompression illness during planned decompression. Recompression, therapeutic breathing gas and observation resolved the symptoms, with no recurrence during subsequent decompression. Investigators attributed the incident to individual physiology but could not confirm hydration. Recommendations address daily health and hydration checks, bag searches and declaration of personal supplements.
- 201317 Oct
Irukandji jellyfish awareness (Australia)
This safety flash alerts divers and support personnel to Irukandji jellyfish in Australian tropical waters. It describes delayed sting symptoms and initial treatment, including vinegar and medical assistance. Preventive measures address exposed skin, submerged equipment handling, equipment washing and water-intake filtration where hot water suits are used.
- 201220 Mar
Bee Stings Result in Anaphylactic Reaction
Two contractors suffered allergic reactions after bee stings at separate remote well sites. One drove himself to hospital with impaired vision while a colleague maintained telephone contact. The other received Benadryl before a supervisor drove him for medical attention; the alert highlights the potential seriousness of both events.
- 2011Oct
Collision between 2 rigid inflatable boats carrying a number of children resulting in 3 people injured
Investigates a collision between two yacht-club rigid inflatable boats carrying children across Cardiff Bay’s freshwater lake at night. Three students were injured. The report examines unlit operation at about 20 knots, driver qualifications, passenger seating and capacity, missing risk assessments, safety equipment, medical contingencies and oversight of club and harbour safety arrangements.
- 2011Jul
Person overboard from potter Blue Angel with 1 person injured
Investigation of a fisherman dragged overboard by a creel back rope from Blue Angel west of Gigha. The report examines jammed creels, inadequate separation from moving rope and ineffective communication during self-shooting operations. It documents recovery and lifesaving first aid, discusses flotation devices and knives, and recommends improving the shooting arrangement.
- 2011Mar
OCM5 - Emergency planning
Guidance for offshore dutyholders planning emergencies involving hazardous substances. It covers response-team and medic involvement, rescue arrangements, first-aid provision and training for everyone potentially involved. Spill response advice distinguishes liquid absorbent selection from dust-minimising solid clean-up, and addresses ventilation, decontamination and hazardous-waste handling.
- 201010 Nov
Precautions against jellyfish sting during diving operations
This safety flash addresses jellyfish stings and airborne irritants from contaminated diving suits. It describes tentacle particles remaining after inadequate cleaning and becoming airborne within diving systems. Precautions include task risk assessment, freshwater pressure washing, residue checks, umbilical cleaning, gloves, consideration of over-suits and medical personnel’s awareness of first aid procedures.
- 2010Aug
Parting of trawl wire on converted scallop dredger Olivia Jean with 1 person injured
MAIB investigates a fisherman’s injury aboard Olivia Jean off Beachy Head when a trawl wire parted during gear recovery and bridle chains fell onto him. The failure mechanism remained uncertain because wire ends were discarded. The report examines equipment maintenance, vessel modifications and stability, crew rest, medical assistance and regulatory oversight.
- 2010May
Person overboard accidents from scallop dredger Korenbloem, stern trawler Osprey III and creeler Optik with loss of 3 lives
Combined investigation of three fatal overboard accidents involving Korenbloem, Osprey III and Optik in November 2009. It examines exposed bin-top work, fishing-gear entanglement, flotation equipment, casualty recovery and first-aid shortcomings. Case-specific findings inform a recommendation for a properly resourced plan to reduce fishing-industry fatalities.
- 200916 Jan
Dangers of medicine abuse
Two offshore vessel incidents involved personnel taking medication prescribed for others. One was considered potentially life-threatening and required helicopter medical evacuation; the other received onboard care. The flash stresses reporting medication use to the site medic, following dosage instructions, heeding interaction warnings and never sharing prescribed medicines.
- 20041 May
Late onset of decompression illness (DCI)
A diver experienced arm pain more than seven hours after decompression from an air dive. Initially treated with painkillers, he underwent recompression after worsening two hours later, without marked improvement. The notice reiterates the company’s requirement for immediate recompression when symptoms consistent with decompression illness occur, even up to 48 hours after air or nitrox diving.
- 20031 Aug
Working with hoses and pressure
This safety flash describes hydraulic oil exposure from a leaking seal and a fatal truck tyre inflation incident involving a released wheel lock ring. Employee guidance addresses hose restraint, condition checks, protective equipment and spray-gun safeguards, alongside safe positioning during pressurisation and prompt washing after oil or chemical exposure.
- 20031 Jan
Fatality during helicopter escape training
A trainee became distressed after escaping a submerged helicopter trainer and later died despite CPR. An unknown pre-existing heart condition was identified; participation was considered likely to have exceeded his cardiovascular capability. The flash discusses fitness assessment, water orientation for non-swimmers, emergency response and planned improvements before training resumed.
- 1994
MAIB Safety Digest 2/1994
This marine accident digest presents lessons from collisions, groundings, machinery failures, shipboard fires and injuries during fishing and access operations. Case commentaries examine lookout and radar use, tank pressure relief, hatch-cover securing, shaft guarding and first aid. An appendix lists investigations commenced between April and July 1994.
- Undated
Facial and Eye Injuries During Temporary Chemical Pump Disconnection
An investigation examines facial and eye injuries during disconnection of a temporary chemical pump from an oil treater after hydrochloric-acid-containing chemical injection. Findings identify absent goggles and face shield, failure to depressurise piping, missing task analysis and permit, unavailable chemical safety information, and inadequate nearby eyewash provision.
- Undated
Falling Pry Bar Struck Operator During Tool Gathering After Crane Repairs
An investigation describes a pry bar falling approximately 25 feet during tool gathering after crane repairs, striking an operator’s hard hat and causing a scalp laceration. It identifies improper tool placement and inclement weather, and documents medical evacuation involving vessel transfers because the incident platform’s helideck was out of service.
- Undated
Creating and Managing a Healthy and Safe Workplace
Employer guidance on organising workplace health and safety under British Columbia requirements. It explains responsibilities, hazard identification, risk assessment and the hierarchy of controls, alongside programme design, inspections, written procedures, training and supervision. Further sections address incident investigations, performance indicators, joint committees, protective equipment and location-specific first aid arrangements.
- Undated
Equinor – Heidrun – investigation of lifting incident with personal injury
Investigates a Heidrun lifting incident in which a snagged crane pennant/hook released and struck a slinger, who fell onto an adjacent gangway. Examines unhooking practice, radio commands and emergency response. The report identifies an improvement point concerning procedural compliance, while retaining uncertainty over the snagging location, striking component and forces involved.
- Undated
Large waves shipped over mooring deck of crude oil tanker FR8 Venture with 1 person injured and loss of 2 lives
Investigation synopsis of two fatalities and one serious injury when waves swept FR8 Venture’s forward mooring deck in the Pentland Firth. It examines departure timing, securing the vessel for sea and crew exposure in heavy weather, describes medical evacuation, and records amended company procedures and an MCA safety alert.
- Undated
Naturkraft - Naturkraft Kårstø - Investigation of ammonia leak
This investigation examines ammonia exposure during filling-valve replacement at Naturkraft’s Kårstø power station. Tank overpressure drove solution through the opened flange, injuring two workers. It identifies inadequate risk assessment and chemical education, emergency-shower water failure and shortcomings in emergency exercises, while examining protective equipment and the response.
- Undated
Staying Safe at Work
This information sheet explains workers’ safety rights and shared employer and worker responsibilities in British Columbia. It describes how to raise unresolved safety concerns, report workplace injuries, obtain first aid and medical care, seek compensation, and access independent help when disputing a WorkSafeBC claim decision.
- Undated
Switchboard explosion on ro-ro passenger ferry Pride of Le Havre with 2 people injured and loss of 1 life
Investigation synopsis describes an electrical explosion and engine control room fire aboard Pride of Le Havre, injuring three personnel. A connection between supply phases was considered the cause, with non-company test equipment and entangled leads contributing. Recommendations address fused probes and company control of test equipment.