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INCIDENTS IN THE FLEET
Volume 50, No. 12, July 12, 2007 |
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Laundry warning
Have you ever spoken to the duty Laundry Hand about leaving something valuable in your overalls that has now been lost in the wash? In many circumstances, it is finders keepers, especially when it comes to the jackpot of ‘small change’ found in the washing machines and dryers.
What Laundry Hands don’t expect is to find dangerous objects in the ship’s laundry. It was to the discomfort and surprise of a sailor to discover that a needle tip from a ship supplied hypodermic needle had been left in a pair of overalls. This needle tip pricked their finger as the overalls were being removed from the dryer.
In this case the potential for serious health problems (Hepatitis or HIV) from needle stick injuries is obvious. So before putting clothes in the laundry, check your pockets and remove all items. The safety of the Laundry Hand, and you not having the headache of losing a valuable item should encourage you to do so.
Gangway dangers
It may seem amusing to watch people returning to the ship as they negotiate the gangway after a good run ashore. Some ports that RAN ships visit experience a large tidal range that can make for some steep gangway positions and some very precarious moments for the ship’s company.
Our working environment offers many dangers as an unfortunate sailor discovered when they fractured their fibula while crossing the gangway. It is important that everyone takes a little extra time to absorb the current environment for clues (i.e. wet decks means slippery gangway) before proceeding up or down the gangway and take extra care where necessary.
No life jackets
Sometimes getting the job done quickly may seem to be of the highest importance; however, safety should never be compromised. In a recent incident, several members compromised their own personal safety by not wearing life jackets and safety harnesses when they proceeded aft on 02 Deck while the gun guard rails were struck. The area had been roped off with a warning sign identifying the hazard, OOW permission had been sought for 02 Deck clearance and the RADHAZ board was correct. However, it was perceived by these members that there wasn’t enough time to comply with SOPs and put on life jackets believing that setting up an evolution was more important.
Fortunately their error was spotted by another. |
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