Fall into cargo hold on fishing vessel (13 July 2021)
A 64-year-old deckhand was injured and later died in an incident onboard a fishing vessel. The vessel was berthed at a wharf in Pyrmont. Seafood had been unloaded. The deckhand fell two metres from the deck into an open cargo hold.
Safety information
Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with falls from heights whilst working onboard commercial fishing vessels.
You must:
- identify and manage all risks, including those associated with working around hatches and penetrations
- secure hatches and cover penetrations when not in use
- keep approaches to holds and access hatches unobstructed to:
- reduce the risk of falls, and to,
- enable holds to be evacuated quickly in an emergency.
- provide and maintain adequate lighting
- train the crew regularly so that they can identify and manage risks and to ensure they are familiar with the safe work methods