Safety Alert: Timber stacking in ports

 

The second row of four rows of timber stacked quayside fell, hitting row one. Thankfully, the first row did not then also fall, but this could have resulted in serious injuries to workers and machinery in the area.

 

Key findings:

The timber had not been block-stacked, resulting in wide gaps between rows

Roundwood was not squared-off at regular intervals

Stacks created outside of the reach of stevedores handling machinery

Hauliers did not stop work and rectify the spacing of stanchions at time of stacking

 

Recommendations:

Members who handle timber cargoes are reminded to review their procedures on timber handling, noting that risk assessments should always be undertaken, and appropriate control measures introduced to ensure safe working for all.

 

For the full details click here: add link to pdf

 

We are grateful to PSS and Creel Maritime Ltd for providing details.  We acknowledge their commitment to sharing learning to benefit others.  If you have similar operations, please share this information with managers, operatives and any potentially affected third parties as appropriate.  Please also review any of your relevant operations for similar hazardous conditions, risks, and controls.  Learning content like this is highly valuable as it is based on real-world experience.  We encourage everyone with publishable information about incidents to send it to us, so that we can raise awareness across the whole industry.  Please contact us at secretariat@ichca.com; sharing your insight could save a life or prevent injury.