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Lack of safety measures led to chief engineer’s severe burns
14 June 2006
An Australian
Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation has found that a lack of hazard
awareness and safety control measures led to the chief engineer on board the
Australian bulk carrier River Embley sustaining burns to 45 percent of his
body when he was scalded by hot water that unexpectedly sprayed from a steam
valve he and a junior engineer were working on.
On the morning of 14 October
2005 the engineers were working in the engine room while the ship was at anchor
off Gladstone. While they were dismantling the turbo alternator exhaust steam
valve a thousand litres of pressurised hot water unexpectedly started to spray
from the valve and onto the chief engineer standing on staging below.
In an
effort to escape the hot water spray the chief engineer tried to jump clear
of the staging but became entangled in the securing rope which had formed a
barrier.
The ship’s crew mounted an immediate first aid response and
the master organised a helicopter evacuation. The chief engineer was transported
to Gladstone Hospital and later transferred to the Royal Brisbane Hospital
intensive care unit.
The report concludes that the engineers did not fully
assess the exhaust steam piping system and its drainage arrangements, or allow
sufficient time for the exhaust steam system to completely drain before starting
to work on the valve.
The ship’s work permit system and job safety analysis
procedures were not utilised by the engineering crew and deficiencies in safety
management were not identified in two audits prior to the accident.
It is also
considered that a sizable experience gradient between the chief engineer and
the other engineers along with a lack of training allowed a series of ‘single
person’ errors to go unchecked and unquestioned.
The ATSB has made several
safety recommendations aimed at preventing further accidents.
Media Contact: George Nadal
Related Documents: | ATSB Marine Report 221: River Embley |
|
