ARKLOW CLAN

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Report on accident injuring officer published

The Irish Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) published its report on an accident aboard the “Arklow Clan” on Aug 12, 2021, on which, whilst lowering the handrails, the Second Officer lost his footing, falling around 3.6 metres from the walkway to the quay below. As a result of the impact the Second Officer sustained serious injuries to both his legs, necessitating an extensive period of hospitalisation, multiple surgeries, and rehabilitation. The root cause of the incident was a failure to follow safe systems of work applicable for working at height including adequate risk assessment, completion of a permit to work and “toolbox talks”. These deficiencies were quickly identified post incident by Arklow Shipping and rectified. In addition, the Second Officer was not suffering from excessive fatigue, but fatigue associated with working at night and keeping the 12 to four watch may have caused him to momentarily lose concentration. The Minister for Transport should issue a Marine Notice to remind all crews and vessel operators of the potential dangers of working at height and their obligations to follow existing legislation and guidance in order to reduce any risks. This includes ensuring the task is risk assessed, subject to a permit to work, that crew are provided with a “toolbox talk” prior to commencing the task and the appropriate PPE is available. Crew mus be provided with training in the correct use of PPE and the PPE must be subject to regular inspections and recorded in a planned maintenance system, as per International Safety Management (ISM) Code (applicable to passenger ships and cargo vessels over 500 Gross Tonnes). Full report: https://safety4sea.com/mcib-investigation-failure-to-follow-safe-systems-for-working-at-height-causes-fall/