Hand injury during closing of hatch

What happened?

Four crewmen made a journey by small boat to inspect an SPM and floating hoses.  After completion of the inspection and maintenance work, two of them were closing the SPM hatch, but were informed by the control room that the door was not sealing properly.  The hatch was repeatedly opened and closed without achieving the required seal.  On further inspection, it was noticed that a hatch locking part was misaligned.  This was corrected, and the hatch was closed.  The moment the hatch stopper was removed, the hatch door swung inside towards one of the workers, and as he tried to move away from the path of the hatch he slipped, causing his left thumb to be pinched between the hatch and bulkhead.

The injured person was taken ashore for treatment.  There were contusions and a minor fracture.  Following medical treatment, the injured person was declared by a doctor to be fit to return to light duties.

What were the causes?

• The worker slipped on a slippery/wet uneven surface;
• The hatch would not lock properly because the locking mechanism was mis aligned;
• Hatch door on the SPM was not secured by rope in the open position.

What actions were taken?

• Added names of local land hospital on Emergency Response Plan and list of Emergency Contacts;
• Means to secure the hatch when open were added to the Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Register.

Members may wish to refer to:

• Finger injury: pinch point
• Injury – Failure of hatch holdback arrangements
• Finger injury: diver caught finger in bell door