Marine salvage fatality (27 January 2021)
A 59-year-old salvage worker was fatally struck by a yacht mast while undertaking salvage works at Rozelle. The submerged yacht was in the process of being lifted from the water when it appears the mast has broken and fallen onto the worker, who was assisting on the deck of a barge.
Safety information
Implement ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with working with cranes and working on water.
You must:
Do equipment checks
- only use a crane in accordance with its designed purpose and within its designed capacity
- make sure the mobile crane/plant is maintained as per manufacturer’s recommendations, including all lifting chains/slings and equipment
Plan the job
- taking into account site set-up, load slinging, load movement, variations in load due to water movement and overhead obstructions conduct and record pre-start checks
Have controls in place to manage the risks of falling objects
- never lift or move suspended loads over people
- perform the task from land, where practical
- ensure an appropriate exclusion zone is established around the load being lifted, where only a qualified dogger may enter if necessary
- make sure there is a safe system of work for doing the task on water and prepare a safe work method statement (SWMS) if the task is considered high risk construction work
Train and supervise workers
- ensure inexperienced or new operators and doggers (typically those with five years or less experience) are adequately trained, mentored, supported and supervised
- make sure all workers are trained in the correct procedures/SWMS
- make sure there are enough workers to do the task safely, such as operating the vessel, acting as spotter when visibility is poor, and helping with emergency rescues
Assess environmental conditions
- consider the conditions, such as weather and swell, and if necessary, choose a safer location or alternative date/time