Importance of checks on ladders and other equipment

What happened?

During ‘safety walk arounds’ on a vessel, some equipment was found to be in poor condition.

A fire blanket in the galley had been used for fire extinguishing and packed away again. No incident report was made of a fire having taken place, and clearly the fire blanket had not been inspected for a long period of time.

Damaged ladders with signs of corrosion and missing plastic supports on the bottom were also observed.

A used fire blanket with significant fire damage

Why did it happen?

Instructions for master’s inspections and fire prevention requirements had not been followed.

There had been no weekly inspection of fire blankets conducted by crew despite procedural requirements to do so.

There was no regular and pre-use inspection of ladders on-board.

Requirements to inspect all ladders and lifting equipment regularly, and to perform required maintenance, were not followed.

A folded ladder with signs of corrosion and plastic supports missing from the bottom

What did they learn?

Ensure that all items on the inspection checklist are thoroughly checked – not just a ‘tick box exercise’.

Any incident (such as a small fire in this case), however small, should be reported immediately.

Ensure all on-board ladders are inspected, numbered and labelled on a monthly basis.

Damaged ladders should be removed from vessels and replacements ordered.

Crew should be reminded of the importance of conducting pre-start checks on all ladders.

Ask yourself or your crew

Are inspections in your workplace done thoroughly? How do we know?

When was the last safety walk around on your vessel/ workplace?

Why do you think the fire was not reported?

How can we make sure all incidents are reported?

Do you inspect ladders before using them? How do you know when they are safe?

What happened?

During ‘safety walk arounds’ on a vessel, some equipment was found to be in poor condition.
A fire blanket in the galley had been used for fire extinguishing and packed away again. No incident report was made of a fire having taken place, and clearly the fire blanket had not been inspected for a long period of time.
Damaged ladders with signs of corrosion and missing plastic supports on the bottom were also observed.
Why did it happen?

Instructions for master’s inspections and fire prevention requirements had not been followed.
There had been no weekly inspection of fire blankets conducted by crew despite procedural requirements to do so.
There was no regular and pre-use inspection of ladders on-board.
Requirements to inspect all ladders and lifting equipment regularly, and to perform required maintenance, were not followed.
What did they learn?

Ensure that all items on the inspection checklist are thoroughly checked – not just a ‘tick box exercise’.
Any incident (such as a small fire in this case), however small, should be reported immediately.
Ensure all on-board ladders are inspected, numbered and labelled on a monthly basis.
Damaged ladders should be removed from vessels and replacements ordered.
Crew should be reminded of the importance of conducting pre-start checks on all ladders.
Ask yourself or your crew

Are inspections in your workplace done thoroughly? How do we know?
When was the last safety walk around on your vessel/ workplace?
Why do you think the fire was not reported?
How can we make sure all incidents are reported?
Do you inspect ladders before using them? How do you know when they are safe?