Safety Alert: Mid rail Failure When Sat Upon and Fall from Height Risk

ICHCA International has issued a new Safety Alert following a fatal incident involving the failure of a mid‑rail on board a container vessel. The foreman involved was supervising cargo discharge operations from an elevated lashing bridge when the plastic‑coated mid‑rail failed, resulting in a fall of approximately 2.5 metres into an adjacent empty bay.

Key Learning

• “Top rails and mid rails guarding elevated walking/working surfaces are not designed to be stood or sat upon.”
• Painted or coated cables can conceal corrosion, particularly where cables rub against posts.
• Vessel inspection programmes are essential for identifying and correcting hazards.
• Stevedores should wear appropriate PPE, including durable non‑skid footwear and hard hats with secure chin straps.
• Pre‑shift toolbox talks should reinforce vessel‑specific hazards and prohibit sitting or standing on railings.

Industry Learning

A review of twelve fatal falls between 2014 and 2024 shows recurring patterns involving hatch covers, catwalks, lashing bridges, container stacks and vessel edges. These incidents occurred during routine tasks, often involving experienced personnel. As highlighted in the alert, “any uncontrolled fall on board a vessel can have devastating consequences.”

Call to Action

Before cargo operations commence, operators should ensure:

• Railings, lashing bridges, catwalks and access structures are inspected and fit for purpose.
• Open‑edge hazards are identified and controlled.
• Defective barriers are treated as safety‑critical defects.
• Work‑at‑height controls remain effective throughout operations.
• Lone working in exposed areas is eliminated or strictly controlled.
• Ship and shore teams jointly review hazards and controls.

Download the Safety Alert HERE

Members can download the full Safety Alert (PDF) and share it with operational, safety, engineering and training teams.