Safety and Close Calls

Discussion in 'All Things Boats & Boating' started by Thunderhead19, Aug 22, 2014.

  1. Thunderhead19
    Joined: Sep 2003
    Posts: 506
    Likes: 3, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 21
    Location: British Columbia, Canada

    Thunderhead19 Senior Member

    I've been working at various shops over the years. I've worked with engineers and naval architects, worked with naval personnel, conducted equipment testing at sea, and carried out ship surveys. It occurrs to me that I've been involved in some fairly risky work on occasion (frequently). I've dealt with everything from exposure to asbestos and infectious materials to working at heights and sudden catastrophic failure of diesel engines. And I've seen some dumb behaviour.

    I work for a major corporation now, and safety awareness and risk management are more formalized across the board for me.

    I wanted to create a thread here to give us builders and you seafarers out there a chance to spin a yarn or two and to bring safety to the fore front for people who may not have the level of awareness and care yet, that comes from simply surviving.

    I am inviting everyone to share their stories of accidents, "almost" accidents, and lessons learned for the benefit of all.
     
  2. JSL
    Joined: Nov 2012
    Posts: 811
    Likes: 64, Points: 28, Legacy Rep: 41
    Location: Delta BC

    JSL Senior Member

    Good topic idea... but not always pleasant reading.
    I can start by advising people to remove finger rings etc. when working around lines & rope. If a line snags on that pretty gem on your ring it could pull the ring off....(and flesh, muscle, etc with it) . I think 'finger flensing' is an appropriate term.
    Bracelets etc. can do a similar job but on a grander scale.
    Next:
    How to use... and not use... paper towels around machinery
     
  3. waikikin
    Joined: Jan 2006
    Posts: 2,440
    Likes: 179, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 871
    Location: Australia

    waikikin Senior Member

    Near misses,

    A mate & I used to do some steel building & repair, our habit was to use cam style plate clamps to hang sheets which did work ok........ until one day hanging a 4mm stainless bulwark the plate landed/grounded out in place...... nek ting one clamp let go & the swinging guillotine came to be, lucky no one in line with it...... after tea & nerves calmed decided that only dead over ground "hover" lifts with the cam clamps or for shifting sideways, all other plating lifts would be with welded on lifting rings. I'm sure the staino had some bearing on the grip & also that the plate wasn't "heavy" enough but welded lift rings, shackles & hooks a much safer deal. Watched a contractor use the same style plate clamps last week lifting some deck plating onto a ship... sent shivers up my spine.
    Jeff.
     
  4. philSweet
    Joined: May 2008
    Posts: 2,682
    Likes: 451, Points: 83, Legacy Rep: 1082
    Location: Beaufort, SC and H'ville, NC

    philSweet Senior Member

    If you ascend a mast to inspect stuff, the first thing to inspect is the stuff you are hanging from. It is easier to clean some of you from your trousers than all of you from the deck.
     
  5. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
    Posts: 19,126
    Likes: 498, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 3967
    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    I don't know about that Phil, I'd say it would depend on the deck composition and the ethnicity of the rigger. Some decks could benefit from my Italian *** being mopped up off it, after the preverbal sudden stop.
     
  6. waikikin
    Joined: Jan 2006
    Posts: 2,440
    Likes: 179, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 871
    Location: Australia

    waikikin Senior Member

    If your unsure about the halyard condition, tie bights of line using constrictor knots to standing rigging as you go to form extra belays.
    http://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/constrictor-knot/
    Jeff
     

  7. philSweet
    Joined: May 2008
    Posts: 2,682
    Likes: 451, Points: 83, Legacy Rep: 1082
    Location: Beaufort, SC and H'ville, NC

    philSweet Senior Member

    I use Prusiks out of old habit. http://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/prusik-knot/
    I have a pair of loops on my harness. I also have ascenders.

    oh, And don't play with the spreaders unless you set some backup stays. I once wiggled a spreader as I want by it and it came off in my hand. I felt kinda stupid stuck up there trying to hold the rig up by pushing out on the shroud.
     
Loading...
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.