Page 14: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2016)

RISK MANAGEMENT

The Top 5 Risks Facing Workboats

Staying A? oat

DAMON VAUGHAN ccording to the Bureau of ing equipment onboard to assist with life buoy ring accessible.

Slips & Falls

Transportation Statistics, com- this task. • Keeping all lifesaving equipment

Slips, trips, and falls are common inju-

Amercial vessel-related fatalities • Pilots and crew are trained to re- aboard easily accessible and in good ries for many businesses and for work- and injuries have been trending down- spond to and report an accident. condition.

boats in particular, which have wet, slip- ward in recent years. This is likely due • Marking the perimeter of the deck pery decks. Besides slipping on the wet to heightened awareness of the risks with paint and installing rails where deck, crewmembers can trip over an ob- Fire aboard these vessels, as well as a focus appropriate.

stacle, fall from a ladder, or fall through on hiring more seasoned crew members. Another major risk to workboat owners, • Conducting a job hazard analysis an uncovered hatch in the deck. Several

Forty-one vessel-related fatalities were operators and their crew is ? re. Aboard a and crew safety training regularly.

factors can play a part in these unfortu- reported on commercial ships in 2010 – vessel, ? res can be started by something • Monitoring crew fatigue and lack of nate accidents, such as improper shoes, down signi? cantly from the 85 reported as small as a lit cigarette or something as fatigue, poor visibility, the transporting concentration.

10 years earlier. At the same time, 139 signi? cant as an explosion in the engine vessel-related injuries were recorded, room. Fortunately, crew can take steps of heavy items and simply changing Know Your Risks walking speed. To keep these accidents compared to 175. An experienced crew to keep ? re risk at a minimum, ensuring:

Being mindful of safety practices is at a minimum, owners, operators and key for preventing and reducing crew in- can help reduce risk exposure – if they • Electrical systems are installed and crew should ensure: maintained by a certi? ed marine electri- know where to look. Typically, ? ve ma- juries and fatalities—and it’s also good • Decks are clean and spills are cian.

jor risks threaten commercial vessels. for business. In fact, new safety stan- cleaned immediately.

• Electrical connections and wiring dards for towing vessels are required • Leaks are repaired.

are connected properly and not exhibit- under new regulations. Subchapter M, ? - • Gear is stowed and secure when out ing signs of corrosion or wear and tear.

nalized by the U.S. Coast Guard in June, of use.

Collision • Clear signage is posted.

describes comprehensive safety guid- • Decks and walkways are painted with

As mentioned above, collisions – wheth- • Fire extinguishers are inspected and ance and sets compliance rules, stan- non-slip paint.

er involving swimmers, kayakers, rec- accessible.

dards and oversight for towing vessels. • Ramps are secured.

reational boaters, commercial vessel • Debris is cleared and ? ammable

Vessel owners can also contact risk • De-icing procedures are implemented operators, bridges or ports/marinas – materials are kept in only necessary and control experts and safety engineers to when necessary.

can present a variety of dangers to ves- limited quantities.

assist them in evaluating the risk expo- • Crew is aware of conditions of poor sel operators, crew and bystanders. In a • Fuel sources are kept separate from sure of individual vessels or simply talk visibility.

well-known 1993 incident, barges being ignitions and openings are covered.

to their insurance agents. These profes- • Proper lighting is used for night pushed by a tow boat collided with the sionals can make recommendations and work.

Big Bayou Canot railroad bridge out- risk mitigation plans to help crew op- • Non-slip safety shoes or boots are Equipment side Mobile, Ala. The accident led to the erate their vessels in the safest manner worn.

deaths of 47 people on an Amtrak train Equipment can also create on- possible.

board hazards for workboats. Older • Deck hatches and holes are covered that attempted to cross the damaged rail-

Workboats will always be an essential road bridge. An additional 103 people equipment,inadequately maintained or closed.

part of America’s waterways, helping to were injured, according to the National equipment, and untrained operators can transport goods and services from shore

Transportation Safety Board. This tragic spark dangerous accidents. Tips to miti- to shore. Let’s be sure our crews are ? t Man Overboard event helped to shed light on what can gate that risk exposure include: for the task by keeping them safe and

Unfortunately, falling overboard remains be done to prevent future accidents of • Servicing and inspecting machinery a leading risk for workboat operators sound.

this nature. In this particular incidence, before use.

and crew. Slips and falls can contribute dense fog was reported in the area, and • Checking cable lines regularly.

to these accidents, as well as fatigue. To

The Author the vessel might have taken additional • Allowing only trained crewmen to prevent these accidents from occurring, operate machinery.

precautions in light of the reduced vis- all crew working on the deck must wear

Damon Vaughan is senior vice president • Adding rails to equipment where ibility. Other tips to avoid collisions in- a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal at Tidal Marine, a commercial marine necessary.

clude ensuring: ? otation device (PFD) or life jacket. insurance program administered by Ven- • Wearing protective gear for head, • The pilot and crew are not fatigued.

Other tips to prevent crew from falling ture Insurance Programs. He has spe- eyes and hands.

• The vessel has proper lighting.

off the vessel include: cialized in marine business, both prima- • Avoiding standing on or over lines • The pilot is properly trained and ry and reinsurance for 20 years, working • Maintaining PFDs and keeping them connected to winches under tension.

experienced in navigating busy water- in London, Bermuda and New York. Tidal easily accessible.

• Turning off the power source before ways, as well as tighter shipping chan- covers a wide variety of commercial ma- • Training crew to use lifesaving making repairs to machinery.

nels.

rine vessels including supply, utility and equipment.

• The pilot is aware of weather and crew boats, to tugs and barges.

• Ensuring vessels over 26 feet have a traf? c conditions and has proper, work- 14 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • NOVEMBER 2016

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