What happened
A fisherman fell while climbing an old, rusted ladder to the vessel’s upper deck, suffering severe bruises to his legs. Crew members had repeatedly raised concerns about the ladder’s stability and strength due to excessive rust, but replacements were postponed to cut costs. The ladder had deteriorated to the point that, when the fisherman put his weight on it while the boat was moving in rough weather, a step separated from the bars, causing him to fall.
What we learned
This injury could have been avoided if the ladder had been replaced or properly repaired when the concerns were first reported. By delaying action to save on costs, the business is now facing greater expenses due to the fisherman’s time off work and the vessel needing to return to harbour earlier than planned.
Tips and Tools
Regular monitoring and reporting of safety hazards helps both crew and management identify unsafe conditions early, providing the opportunity to address issues proactively. Encouraging all crew members to stay alert for potential hazards or damaged equipment can prevent accidents by ensuring problems are fixed before they escalate. Fostering a culture of proactive safety monitoring and reporting significantly improves the chances of identifying and addressing issues before incidents occur.
For more information on practical safety ideas from AMSA, click here.