ILA~USMX Joint Safety Committee – OSH Circular – 2024-01 – Crushed-By-Container Accidents

Crushed-By-Container Accidents

Looking over the global marine cargo handling industry accident experience over the last several months, we take notice that no fewer than three fatal accidents have occurred wherein longshore/marine terminal workers were crushed to death by an intermodal container………

That’s a pretty startling statistic, and one that anyone reading this OSH Circular would regard as frightening when put into a personal context. After all, none of us would like to meet their end by having an intermodal container land on you and claim your life!

That’s why the ILA~USMX Joint Safety Committee would like to raise a little consciousness amongst our labor and management colleagues, about the importance of giving containers being moved and containers in stow great respect and attention.

Containers can fall from stowage when struck by another moving object or in the failure of a lifting appliance. Containers can also present “caught between” hazards when being placed into or removed from stowage. That’s why it’s so important to allow a wide margin between them and you in virtually all situations. Always consider the hazard potentials of your location/situation, and never be caught “in the bight” [between a moving container and any fixed object].

Want to know more about those three crushed-by-container accidents? Here are links to that information:

http://www.blueoceana.com/?p=6634
http://www.blueoceana.com/?p=6593
http://www.blueoceana.com/?p=6561

Got an OSH-related question? Write to the JSC at: blueoceana@optonline.net

Working Together For The Benefit Of All

ILA-USMX OSH Circulars are devised to reflect the best possible information and guidance, and are products of diligent research and the most up to date subject matter knowledge. Consequently, while the information contained herein is believed to be accurate, owing to a host of factors ILA-USMX can convey no direct or implied warranty relative to the reliance of parties upon content.

To view the OSH Circular, click here.