Fatality at sea on board the Liberian registered multipurpose ship Cape Darnley, on 8 July 2010

Abstract

At about 0830 on 8 July 2010, a crew member on board the multipurpose ship Cape Darnley was fatally injured following an explosion that occurred while he was attempting to cut the top off a 200 litre steel drum. When the oiler touched an angle grinder's spinning cutting disk onto the top of the drum, the heat generated ignited the vapours inside the drum. Once ignited, the rapid expansion of the vapour/air mixture resulted in the drum exploding.

The ATSB investigation found that an appropriate risk analysis was not undertaken and a hot work permit was not completed for the task.

The investigation also found that the oiler was not aware of the ship's work permit requirements or the risks associated with using an angle grinder to cut the top off a closed drum.

The ATSB acknowledges the safety actions taken by the ship's managers to address the two safety issues identified during the investigation.