LTI - Finger Injury While Using Safe Hands Tool

Services team were working a vessel, load handling containers onto the skid deck using a safe hands tool (blind lift).

All personnel within the Services team were competent and experienced in conducting the task.

The container was landed onto the skid deck, to remove stored energy, as it was being manoeuvred into position against the back skid rail the container moved to the right.

The IP moved towards the side of the container and during this process the IP’s hand, which was placed at the back end of the safe hands tool, came into contact with a scaffold rack. IP’s finger was nipped between the scaffolding rack and the butt of the safe hands tool.

The IP’s resulting injury was the loss of the tip of one of his fingers.

Immediate Corrective Actions Taken:

Deck crew operations were suspended and the load made safe.

Time out for Safety held with the deck crew to review practices and the Risk Assessment.

What Caused it:

The load handlers focus and attention was on moving the container and not his immediate surrounding.

The gap between the container and the scaffolding rack was not identified as a hazard prior to commencement of task.

The load handlers hand was at the back of the safe hands tool and out of his view and focus.