Patrick Terminals’ risk assessment process for lashing and unlashing operations had not anticipated a fatal accident resulting from being struck by items falling from a portainer or cargo, or from being struck by a moving container. As a result, while the appropriate risk control for this occurrence had been covered during employee training, this was not reinforced in safe work instructions, an important risk control measure.
Hazard identification and risk assessments for lashing/unlashing were extensively revised following the accident and the implementation of the terminal's restricted zone protocol.
As discussed in section 2.6.6 of the report itself, the ATSB has been advised by Patrick Terminals that hazard identification and risk assessments for lashing/unlashing were revised following the accident and the implementation of the restricted zone protocol. This revision considered the hazards associated with working near containers being loaded and this was included in the revised hazard list.
The implementation of the restricted zone protocol reduces the risk of stevedores working directly in the vicinity of containers being loaded or moving overhead. The revised safe work instructions for lashing/unlashing now reinforce the recognised safe practices of not working under a container or between a moving container and a stationary object.
The ATSB is satisfied that the action taken by Patrick Terminals adequately addresses this safety issue.
