Following cargo discharge of a marine aggregate's dredger, an employee was detailed to washdown the hopper’s forward slope with a fire hose.  The employee stood on a raised hatch cover, close to an unprotected edge with a significant fall from height potential.  Another employee noticed this action and stepped in, explaining the danger.  The work was then completed from the well deck (same area but lower as not on the hatch), affording protection due to a ledge.

The new employee had completed all familiarisation.

A point of work risk assessment (TAKE 5) was not completed prior to this task, it was not considered necessary being a common job, with no apparent danger.

Image below shows the position of operator on hatch lid

Key Findings

• Safe Systems - No work instruction, Risk Assessment or safe system of work existed for the task
• Risk Perception - Perception for the task was of trivial risk by employee and supervisors.
• Take - 5  -  No Point of work risk assessment/TAKE-5) had been completed prior to the task.
• Process - The task was considered ‘routine’ and had been completed on many previous occasions, this may have led to complacency regarding the associated risk.   

HOW COULD THIS HAVE BEEN AVOIDED

• By completing the task from an alternative area with sufficient edge protection in place to reduce fall from height potential.
• The washdown method has now been adjusted where it is now completed from the sides where a handrail guard exists, and additional handrails are left in situ.
• Periodic reviews of tasks / processes, including those considered low risk, to ensure all hazards / risks have been identified and controlled.
• Avoid complacency especially during ‘routine tasks’

Image below shows additional handrails

KEY REVIEW POINT

• A point of work risk assessment (TAKE-5) should have been completed prior to the task. 
• Everyone is encouraged to revisit the TAKE-5 process, especially for routine and ‘apparently’ trivial tasks.

This incident illustrates why it is so important to STOP & THINK (Take 5) before starting a new task, and to remember it is essential to Look after Yourself, Look after Each Other. If one was reviewing this alert with your team, you may want to ask them what more we need to do to ensure everyone puts their health and safety first, always, and whether they would have Stepped In to keep their colleagues safe.