202540 A tripping hazard created

During dry dock work, a contractor was assigned to perform an electrical job in the steering gear compartment. Wooden deck covers were removed so that a ladder could be placed. When the ladder was removed, the wooden deck cover was not immediately placed back in position. The securing cleat for the deck cover, which protruded above the deck and was painted the same colour, was now a perfect tripping hazard.

Within a short time, a person tripped on this hazard and needed first aid attention.

 

Lessons learned

• Changes in a safety system can create new hazards. In this case a well-marked deck cover was removed without consideration of a new hazard being created, that of the newly exposed securing cleat.
• A review of the workspace by a safety minded crew before and after the task can help reduce existing risks or newly created ones.