Crew Member Injured Using Lathe on Vessel, Transport Malta Report

Transport Malta’s Marine Safety Investigation Unit has released a report on an incident involving a crew member who suffered a serious injury while using a lathe on a vessel. The incident occurred while the fitter was working on fabricating a securing pin for an anchor cable stopper during the voyage from Antwerp, Belgium. His hand slipped off the pin, and his coveralls’ sleeve got caught, leading to his hand being pulled towards the lathe chuck.

Despite quick reactions from nearby crew members who stopped the lathe and freed the fitter’s hand, the fifth digit of his right hand could not be saved. The investigation found that the manner in which the fitter was gripping the hand file while working on the steel rod led to the accident. Safety actions taken included conducting safety meetings with all crew members on the vessel to discuss necessary precautions when using the lathe and sharing details of the incident with other vessels in the fleet. The vessel’s risk assessment was also updated.

The report highlighted the importance of proper safety procedures when working with machinery such as lathes and emphasized the need for crew members to be vigilant and follow correct protocols. The investigation concluded that the fitter’s grip on the file contributed to the accident, underscoring the need for ongoing training and awareness of potential hazards in maritime operations. By implementing safety measures and sharing lessons learned, the company aims to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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