The ATSB has found that a lack of communication, hazard
awareness and job safety analysis led to a seaman on board the
Panamanian registered container ship MSC Sonia being
severely burned by steam.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation also found
that the placement of the boiler safety valve vent pipe, and the
direction in which it exhausted, meant that any personnel on the
funnel casing top platform were vulnerable when a boiler safety
valve operated.
At about 0900 on 10 April 2007, a surveyor arrived on board
MSC Sonia to carry out a scheduled boiler survey while the
ship was alongside Swanson Dock, Melbourne.
The ship's chief engineer and the surveyor went to the engine
room and, after visually inspecting the outside of the boiler; they
tested the safety cut-out devices. The surveyor then asked for the
operation of the safety valves to be tested. The turbo-alternator
was shut down to reduce the steam demand and the boiler's two
burners were fired manually. The steam pressure started to rise
and, at about 0945, when the boiler pressure reached 11 bar, the
safety valves operated.
The ship's boatswain and the ordinary seaman had spent all
morning on the top platform of the funnel casing painting the main
engine exhaust pipes. At about 0945, steam unexpectedly exhausted
from the nearby boiler safety valve vent pipe, directly onto the
ordinary seaman.
The ordinary seaman was severely burned by the steam. He was
assisted down the funnel casing ladder and onto the bridge deck.
While he lay on the deck, the crew used a hose to shower him with
water to cool his burns.
At 1015, an ambulance team arrived on board the ship and, by
about 1100, the ordinary seaman had been landed ashore, placed in
the waiting ambulance and taken to hospital.
The ATSB is pleased to report safety action already taken and
has issued one safety recommendation and two safety advisory
notices with the aim of preventing similar incidents.