Why do accidents happen?

I can’t Language confusion

see what
you’re
saying

Unaware of
risk, being
in snap back
Wrong zone
outfit
Too cold

Untidy
Stopper breaks lines Wet paint
Poor communication
between pilot &
Sitting on captain & tug
a line

Lines lying too long Line ‘singing’

Crossing line Poor in sun & water before
overview
it parts
Standing on
the line

Sea rising Standing in

Oil leak from a bight Bad lighting
winch – slip/
Too many turns
injury Telling off/bad
(on the drum)
communication Line round
Draught
propeller Several lines
changed Line comes off
on same
bollard – steep
bollard
angle
Line thrown with-
Lines in mess out telling docker
on mooring
boat
Line caught
Moving to and fro in fender

Strong current

Mess on
the quay
 Wires/ropes tight
and slack/or different
material, elasticity and
breaking strength

The underlying factors

Fatigue Poor supervision Recklessness Poor training Poor procedures Unspoken accept Too busy Stress NOT understanding Bad radio Management Management
the hazards diSciplinE looses breadth toO young and
of view unexperienced
Snap-back zones

The drawings illustrate snap-back zones in different set-ups.

The figures show the route OF the LINE

• Keep a close eye on your workmates

• Treat every line under load with extreme caution
• First lines ashore, such as spring lines, have the greatest potential to break
• If lines are angled round a bollard or roller, the snap-back area increase
• Have constant focus at toolbox meetings and in risk assessment

When the line parts at the capstan When the line parts at the roller

When the line parts at the capstan

Mooring line parts at the overside fairlead When the line parts at the overside fairlead
Risk assessment

Find the risk for each hazard

1. Gather your crew for a risk assessment session

2. Place all the hazards you have found on the matrix

Probability
Risk level
Unlikely Likely Very likely

Serious
Moderate risk - 4 Serious risk - 7 Unacceptable risk - 9
injury

Short
or long
Injury Minor risk - 2 Moderate risk - 5 Serious risk - 8
term
injury

Slight
Insignificant risk - 1 Minor risk - 3 Moderate risk - 6
injury

Use the program Health and Safety for Sea to prepare the risk assessment