An oil tanker was on passage when the ship’s electrician, who had been working alone, was fatally electrocuted while performing maintenance of the inert gas scrubber electrical system (Figure 1).
Figure 1 Location of the electrician when found.
Source: Investigation report by Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator
WHAT HAPPENED?
Before starting work in the morning on the day of the incident, the second engineer (2/E) held a Toolbox Talk to discuss the work planned for that day. The electrician mentioned he might work on the inert gas (IG) scrubber pump starter panel, but he did not specify the items to be completed, nor the timeframe for the work. No formal risk assessment, permit to work (PTW) or Lock Out/Tag Out (LOTO) procedure was completed, despite all being specifically required by the Safety Management System (SMS).
At about 1130, the electrician told the engine cadet that he would be working on the IG scrubber pump starter panel. The cadet did not question the electrician about the work, nor did he tell any other engineering officer.
The IG scrubber pump starter panel was located on the engine room’s bottom platform inside a local group starter panel (LGSP) cabinet which had several sections: the upper sections held starter controls for various types of machinery, while the lower section contained the 440V power terminals. The cover over the power terminals was fully removable (Figure 2). The LGSP cabinet had no horizontal divider between the upper and lower section. Also, the three power cable terminals in the lower section did not have covers over the power terminals to prevent accidental contact. The pump starter panel door could only be opened after turning the main power breaker lever to the off position, which de-energized the equipment in the panel.
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