A Harrowing Incident Onboard

A maritime routine turned vicious when a crew member suffered a serious injury while performing maintenance on a capstan. During a seemingly standard greasing operation, this crew member signaled for the capstan to engage, only to have his hand caught between a wire clamp and the deck. The horrifying result? A trip to the hospital for immediate medical attention.

The Underlying Issues

What went wrong, you ask? Accessing the greasing point proved to be a nightmare. It was not only hard to reach but also awkwardly positioned, which prevented the crew member from noticing a dangerous bracket lurking beneath the surface. Despite engaging in thorough risk assessments and safety talks, a significant hazard remained hidden in plain sight.

Design Flaws Explored

Let’s talk about poor design. The setup required crew members to awkwardly lie on their backs while trying to grease the capstan, completely ignoring ergonomic considerations. To add insult to injury, the grease gun's design forced workers to remove their gloves, putting their bare hands in harm's way as they fumbled in a cramped and enclosed area.

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