Safety Alerts
ICHCA International is committed to helping industry to learn lessons fast,
learn them once and make sure that they stay learnt.
This information is intended to provide all organisations in the cargo supply chain with the opportunity to consider the events and to review and adapt their own health and safety control measures to proactively prevent future incidents. We are grateful to all those who provide these alerts and acknowledge their commitment to sharing learning to benefit others.
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.
Preliminary findings into Chlorine tank incident at the port of Aqaba
A number of tanks containing Chlorine were being loaded onto the MV Forest 6 at the port of Aqaba on 27 June 2022. During the operation, a tank fell and was punctured. The release of Chlorine gas resulted in the death of 13 and injury of more than 250 people. On 3 July 2022, the head of the Aqaba Port incident investigation committee held a press conference announcing initial findings. Please click here for the details We are grateful to the Jordanian Chemical Process Safety Engineers Society for sharing this information. Their original report can be found on LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jordanian-chemical-process-safety-engineers-society_aqabaabrport-accident-incident-activity-6950927450033827840-eoDB?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web . We acknowledge their commitment to sharing learning to benefit others. If you have similar operations, [...]
Serious injury to a crew member, by ship’s crane during operations on a port breakwater
Safety Alert: Serious injury to a crew member, by ship's crane during operations on a port breakwater A general cargo hopper dredger was engaged in the strengthening and lengthening of a port outer breakwater. The vessel’s crane was taking boulders from the cargo hold and placing them in position at the breakwater. The master, who was on duty, went forward to check previously completed maintenance work. On the way back to the accommodation, he decided to check the status of the cargo hold. While checking the cargo, the crane turned towards the breakwater and trapped the master in between the body of the crane and the hatch coaming. The master sustained serious torso injuries. MSIU has issued [...]
Fatality and serious injuries on board a bulk carrier whilst underway
Giulia I departed from the port of Norfolk, USA, bound for Bizerte, Tunisia on 26 January 2021. During the voyage, the vessel experienced inclement weather and the voyage plan was progressively amended, based on the advice received from a weather routeing service. On 29 January 2021, the eductor was started to pump out the water from the forecastle store, which was found flooded. Next day, five deck crew members, including the deck cadet, were instructed to extract the remaining water from the forecastle store and chain lockers, using portable pumps. The vessel’s course was altered to minimize the rolling and pitching and thus, facilitate the safety of the deck ratings. Whilst the crew members were covering the spurling pipes, a [...]
How wide is a Freight Container?
ICHCA International is committed to helping industry to learn lessons fast, learn them once and make sure that they stay learnt. This information is intended to provide all organisations in the cargo supply chain with the opportunity to consider the events and to review and adapt their own health and safety control measures to proactively prevent future incidents. Everyone knows a freight container is 8 feet wide. The problem is that this knowledge is no longer entirely correct. “Over width” containers, containers that are wider than 8 feet (2438 mm), are seeing use in more and more trades. Typically these “pallet-wide” containers are about an inch (24 mm) wider than a standard ISO container. This greater width is [...]
Serious injury to a crew member – fall from height in vessel hold whilst underway
A member of the crew was working in a cargo hold, lost balance and fell from a height. This resulted in severe head, back and chest pain. The crew member was air lifted for further treatment. The safety investigation revealed that immediately prior to the fall, the casualty’s safety harness was not secured to a fixed point, whilst he was shifting his position. Please click here for the details We are grateful to the Transport Malta Marine Safety Investigation Unit 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 [...]
Safety Alert: Fumigant poisoning on general cargo vessel with 1 person injured
A stevedore became sick after handling cans containing fumigant while discharging cargo from a general cargo vessel. The stevedore experienced nausea, loss of balance, and nerve damage to his hand; he had an extended absence from work while recuperating. The cargo of bagged sweet potato had been loaded at the port of origin in July 2021. During and after loading, cans and pouches of aluminium phosphide fumigant had been placed between the bags of cargo. The vessel sailed on 19 July. Discharge operations at the destination port began on 10 October. The operation was stopped following the discovery of open cans containing powder. The crew then removed some of the fumigant from the cargo holds. A specialist contractor subsequently [...]
Serious injury to two crew members during an internal fuel oil transfer
Two crew were tasked with the internal transfer of fuel oil onboard a vessel in port. During the operation both crew suffered burns from the hot fuel oil. First aid was immediately provided and eventually, both crew members were transferred to a local hospital. Upon inspection of the engine room, it was observed that the fuel oil spillage originated from an open manhole cover on fuel oil settling tank no. 1. Please click here for the details We are grateful to the Transport Malta Marine Safety Investigation Unit 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 [...]
Blocked fixed CO2 fire extinguishing system pilot hoses
On 19 September 2021, a fire broke out in the auxiliary engine room on board a roll-on/roll-off cargo ship departing a UK port. In an attempt to extinguish the fire, the ship’s crew activated the machinery space’s carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguishing system, but only half of the system’s gas cylinders opened. The initial investigation identified that one of the CO2 system pilot hoses was blocked due to a manufacturing defect. Several coupling leaks were also found in the pilot lines. Please click here for the details We are grateful to the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch for providing details. We acknowledge their commitment to sharing learning to benefit others. If you have similar operations, please share this information [...]
Lithium Battery Fire – container illegally loaded with discarded lithium batteries caught fire while enroute to a port
On August 19, 2021, a container illegally loaded with discarded lithium batteries caught fire while enroute to a port. The container was intended for a maritime voyage. The batteries caught fire on the highway resulting in loss of the cargo, and significant damage to the shipping container. For full details, please click here We are grateful to the United States Coast Guard 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 [...]
Fire Started from Cutting Torch Work
Crew members on a general cargo vessel in port were using an oxy-acetylene torch to remove various sea fasteners, brackets, and cargo securing points from the tween deck pontoons in a cargo hold. Sparks and molten slag from the hot work caused a fire. Thankfully, nobody appears to have been seriously hurt. However the fire damage to cargo exceeded $350,000 including damage from the fire directly, from the smoke, and from the water used to extinguish the fire. Damage to the ship exceeded $100,000 and included damage to the cargo hold bulkhead, access ladders and lighting system. Please click here for the details We are grateful to the American Club for providing details. We acknowledge their commitment to sharing [...]
Fatal fall from overhead crane raised walkway following access panel failure
An electrician was repairing wiring that had been causing a short circuit on the lifting equipment of a large overhead gantry crane. As he was walking along the crane’s walkway, an access panel gave way beneath his feet, causing him to fall through to the ground below. The casualty sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at hospital. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company had failed to maintain the crane walkway’s access panels, which had been used to replace lighting fittings some months earlier. Also, the panel itself had been subject to weld repair, and there was no evidence of any steps being taken to ensure that the panel was safely replaced into the [...]
Falls Not Falling
Since the beginning of 2022, Signal Mutual in the USA has experienced 10 fall injuries resulting in severe injury. This alert lists the ten incidents and includes guidance on fall prevention. We know that falling from height is a significant risk in the cargo industry and that huge effort is put into managing this risk. The information here from Signal Mutual is a valuable and timely reminder to keep ‘fall from height’ firmly on any cargo organisation’s radar. Evaluate work areas together for fall hazards, acting immediately on any identified significant risk and providing an ongoing review of the work areas Manage the risk of falls – start at the top of the hierarchy of controls, eliminate the hazard where [...]
Ship Access
Signal Mutual have been made aware of a near miss incident involving a vessel gangway that was not safely footed on the pier. While re-positioning the hoist line parted, causing the gangway to fall into the water. Please click here for the full Operational Alert We are grateful to the Signal Mutual 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 [...]
Obstructed View Accident
Signal Mutual have been made aware of an incident involving a collision between a cargo towing vehicle and a stationary pickup truck. The learning points include maintaining fields of vision free of obstructions, avoiding distraction whilst driving and awareness of pedestrians and vehicles in the vicinity of operations. Please click here for the full Operational Alert We are grateful to the Signal Mutual 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 [...]
Abrasive Blasting
Signal Mutual have been made aware that over 130 serious incidents associated with abrasive blasting during the period January 2019 through to June 2021. Abrasive blasting is a potentially hazardous operation if not correctly controlled. Abrasive blasting can expose the blaster and other workers in the area to serious risks from contact with high pressure particles and dust, and in some cases, uncontrolled high-pressure hoses. Please click here for the full Operational Alert We are grateful to the Signal Mutual 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 [...]
Seatruck Consultative Procedure – RoRo Operations
Seatruck carried out extensive research into their operations following a fatal accident on the vehicle deck of a RoRo Ferry in July 2021. A member of the vessel crew suffered crushing injuries whilst marshalling tractor-unit drivers loading semi-trailers. Against Seatruck’s procedures, the crew member was positioned between a moving semi-trailer and vessel structure in the final bay of the loading operation. Development of this procedure has been supported by vessel-based trials and internal consultation with ship’s crew and stevedores which is ongoing, therefore the information contained is provisional but is deemed to be of value to members. A follow-up Safety Bulletin will be sent out if the consultation leads to a significant change to the procedures detailed. Please Click [...]
Falling Objects – Working Overhead
Hutchison Ports have recently received reports of a hammer head that detached from its handle when ship’s crew were attempting to loosen a 3 high lashing bar locked into a container above. The hammer head hit a stevedore, who was working 6 metres below, on the shoulder. Please Click Here for the full Operational Alert We are grateful to the Hutchison Ports 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 [...]
Lashing Bar Tongues separating from the lashing bar and onto the deck
Hutchison Ports have recently received reports of Lashing Bar Tongues separating from the lashing bar and falling onto the deck, narrowly missing the stevedores. The failures have occurred where the nut has unwound from the bolt, or the pin has failed due to wear and tear and lack of maintenance. Please click the link for the full Operational Alert We are grateful to the Hutchison Ports 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 [...]
Failure of a Road Tanker Pressure/Vacuum Relief Valve
Hazardous vapour release due to unauthorised modification of pressure/vacuum relief valve on bulk transport container. Please Click Here for the full Operational Alert We are grateful to The UK Health and Safety Executive 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 [...]
Contact with live cable
Contact with a live cable during recent excavation works had high potential to cause harm to persons. On this occasion harm was prevented by implementing appropriate mitigation measures (insulated hand tools) as determined by the risk assessment. Please Click Here for the full Operational Alert We are grateful to the Port of London for providing details and to PSS for drawing it to our attention. 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 [...]
Working at Height – Access to vehicle; protection from a fall
Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of workplace fatalities in the UK. In Great Britain in 2020/2021 there were 35 fatalities, and over 5,000 injuries that caused the injured person to be off work for over 7 days or more. A recent UK prosecution again highlighted the risks of working at height where a driver fell from the bed of their vehicle and was fatally injured. Many cargo operations involve drivers visiting sites to collect and deliver loads. Such loads should be made safe and secure before the driver leaves. Duty holders need to ensure that this activity can occur safely. In any work at height operation, the aim should always be to remove the [...]
Fumigated Cargoes, Liverpool Incident
The Port of Liverpool (UK) recently encountered a situation involving fumigated cargoes. The port was preparing to discharge bulk bagged sweet potato pellets when operatives noticed partially empty cannisters distributed within the holds. These were confirmed to be aluminium phosphide fumigation cannisters. The cargo had been recently treated in three holds. All operations were immediately brought to a halt and the situation made safe. Regulatory authorities are investigating and have taken enforcement action against the vessel’s Master. Lessons learned: Whilst there is a legal duty on the Master to inform the receiving port of a fumigated cargo, it cannot be relied upon. Ports and terminals must positively establish for themselves, that no fumigants have been employed. Please click [...]
Wheeled Loading Shovel Fatalities
There have been nine fatal vehicle-pedestrian collisions involving wheeled loading shovels in the UK over the past four years. Six in waste/recycling, the rest in wood chip. Some were due to poor forward visibility, others resulted from reversing. Larger capacity buckets had been fitted to some machines, further reducing forward visibility. The UK regulatory authority has issued a safety notice is to remind dutyholders who use these machines of the need to fully assess and actively manage the risk of vehicle-pedestrian collisions. We believe that this information is relevant to cargo operations internationally. Please click here for the full Operational Alert We are grateful to the Health and Safety Executive for providing details and to PSS and [...]
Classification & Declaration of Divinylbenzene for Transport in Tank Containers
Some interests have been seeking to transport Divinylbenzene (DVB) from China to destinations in both Europe and United States of America, while mis-declaring the commodity as Class 9, UN 3082 ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE, LIQUID, N.O.S. (Divinylbenzene). Divinylbenzene, though not specifically named in the Dangerous Goods regulations, is a liquid prone to Polymerisation. The IMDG Code includes a subdivision Class 4.1 for polymerizing substances with two UN numbers. Divinylbenzene (or related trade names, which may include Diethenylbenzene or Vinylstyrene) should be classified under one of these two numbers. Products with a polymerization risk generally use chemical inhibitors to prevent self-reaction taking place. Such chemical inhibitors are effective for a limited period of time at a maximum temperature of about 27°C, assuming [...]
Catastrophic failure of marine loading arm
Marine loading arms (MLAs) are commonly used throughout UK ports and jetties to load and unload liquids and compressed gas products from river barges, ships, and tankers. Evidence obtained during an HSE investigation of a failed MLA revealed concerns that not all components were being suitably inspected and maintained due to problems accessing the highest pivot joint. The lack of lubrication of this greased joint presents a serious risk of the joint failing with the potential for the complete collapse of the arm, leading to possible death, serious injury or damage to process equipment, and subsequent loss of containment. Anyone using or servicing MLAs should check, review and identify inspection and maintenance work required by the manufacturer and industry guidance. [...]