Arrange the strop properly when handling hoses then leave it alone is a key lesson from a recently issued safety alert from Marine Safety Forum. The incident resulted in a crewmember losing the tip of his finger in a rather unpleasant fashion. Not, of course, that there is pleasant way to lose a finger.while assisting the attachment of a bulk hose using the strop and pin method.
As the bulk hose was being lowered to the vessel the crew member caught the strop and looped it around the pin as usual procedure, but also took hold of the bulk hose as it continued lowering. As the hose lowered and the hang-off strop bore the weight of the hose his finger became trapped between the ship’s rail and the hose connection resulting in a finger being crushed and severed.
Says MSF: “The ‘strop and pin’ method of transferring a bulk hose requires minimal intervention or assistance from the vessels crew and there is no requirement or need for the crewmember to touch or guide the bulk hose as it is being lowered once the strop is attached. The only requirement for the crewmember during the bulk hose transfer is to catch the strop and ensure it is correctly looped over the pin.”
Here’s how the strop should be looped over the pin. No other intervention is required: Continue reading »