What happened
On a lobster fishing vessel, a crew member had an elastic drawstring hanging from his hat. While retrieving a pot, as it came up and over the side, the corner of the pot caught the drawstring and pulled the crew member’s face toward the pot. Fortunately, the string snapped off on one side of the hat before his face made contact with the corner of the pot. However, because the string was elastic, the chin toggle whipped back and struck him in the face.
What we learned
Clothing and personal items with dangling cords, toggles, or loose materials can pose serious entanglement risks, particularly on vessels where pots, winches, and other moving equipment are in operation.
Tips and tools
Employers and vessel operators must ensure that appropriate PPE and clothing are worn for the task at hand. Crew should be trained to conduct a pre-task safety check that includes removing or securing any items that could catch on gear – such as hat cords, hoodie strings, or jewellery. Where hats are needed for sun protection, wide-brim options with adjustable internal bands or secure Velcro chin straps (without elastic) are safer alternatives.
Vessel operators should include clothing hazard identification in their safety risk assessments and review these during onboard inductions and regular safety briefings.
Additionally, AMSA encourages a “near-miss” reporting culture – incidents like this should be logged, discussed, and used as learning opportunities. By doing so, the crew helps foster a proactive safety culture where potential hazards are identified before they lead to serious injury.
For more information on practical safety ideas from AMSA, click here.