Severed Finger while inspecting winch wire

Cause & Consequence

• Moving machinery or material being machined

Incident Location

Any Location Type

Incident Activity

Lifting, crane, rigging, deck operations

Lessons Identified

• Failure to perceive risk – neither of the team recognised the potential for accidental contact with the winch or the need to stop and consider the hazards prior to starting.
• Normalisation of risk – Operation of winches was considered a low risk, routine task.
• Ineffective planning – basic safe working practices (communication & positioning) were not discussed prior to the task.
• Inadequate guard design – the guarding arrangement did not provide protection against moving parts.
• Inadequate control of 3rd parties – regarding familiarisation & supervision.

Incident Recommendations

• Think about how to control the risk at the planning stage and discuss this at onsite Tool Box Talks. Discuss physical barriers on the plant.
• As well as scanning our work environment for hazards, ask others to do the same. There is no shame in pointing out what you think is obvious.
• Consider how 3rd parties are controlled and supervised on your site. Raise any concerns to the responsible person.