MSC IRENE - Very Serious Maritime Casualty
Vessel: MSC IRENE
GAMA reference: 2013-045
Data da ocorrência acidental: 04-04-2013
Circulated on: 13-10-2013
Published on: 14-11-2013
Summary
On 4 April 2013, during container loading operations at Terminal XXI in Sines, a gangway watchman moved onto the cross-deck walkway to verify the alignment of a container at the bottom of the cargo hold. A safety gate had been left open and its securing pin had not been fitted. Focused on the operation, the worker is believed to have attempted to lean on the barrier, assuming it was closed, and fell approximately 30 metres into the hold, resulting in his death. He was not wearing a safety harness, which was not mandatory at the time, and the vessel had not been inspected beforehand by the safety team.
Safety recommendations
SR01-2013/045, to PSA Sines:
Assess ensuring the presence of at least one occupational safetyhealth officer during the 00:00 to 08:00 period.
SR02-2013/045, to PSA Sines:
Assess revising safety policies to require safety harnesses for work at height aboard ships.
SR03-2013/045, to ACT and regional labour inspections:
Assess planning annual inspectionenforcement activities covering work at height aboard ships in Portuguese ports, including correct use of safety harnesses.
Lessons learned
Open gates used for hatch cover handling should be closed and secured with the appropriate locking pin immediately after the operation. The condition of collective protection measures should be verified before cargo operations resume. A safety harness should be worn whenever there is a risk of falling from height. Newly built vessels also require a prior safety inspection. Occupational health and safety coverage should be maintained throughout the entire operational period, including night shifts. Attention focused on cargo handling must not replace the physical verification of safety barriers.