Marine Accident Investigation Branch Safety Digect 2/2005 Case 7 The Dangers of High Speed Loading Loading operations are usually swift, noisy, busy procedures, with a ship’s staff engaged in a flurry of duties. The following narrative illustrates the need for extreme care to be exercised during such times of heightened activity. Narrative The loading officer directed the last 12m trailer to its parking position on board. He then moved to the linkspan, where a tugmaster unit was pushing a trailer into position. The trailer hit the loading officer and seriously crushed him. He was hospitalised. A very similar accident had occurred on board the same vessel some months earlier. On that occasion, another loading officer was struck by the front end of a trailer when he hadn’t noticed that the vehicle was reversing. He, too, sustained severe injuries. It is important to note that a tug driver has no view of the front of the trailer he is pushing. This puts the onus on the pedestrian to remain alert and mindful of moving vehicles at all times. The driver involved in the first accident discussed was completely unaware that someone had been seriously injured. To reduce the likelihood of further similar accidents, the ship’s operator introduced the following two safety recommendations:
The Lessons 1. Operating at high speed, and without the aid of signallers, has been the cause of several fatal accidents. These accidents highlight the importance of shore-side and ship management teams working together to ensure that loading operations are conducted safely. 2. Ports which operate with high safety standards require tugmasters to be fitted with warning lights and reversing alarms. 3. To promote the safety message relating to accidents such as these, in 1998, the MCA produced MGN 19(M). It is well worth a read: section 5.4 will be of particular interest. |