Tuesday 13th April 2021

Safety News Roundup: Tuesday 13th April 2021

This roundup for Tuesday 13th April 2021 covers two significant safety incidents making headlines this month: a fire aboard an Antarctic supply vessel and a fatal telehandler accident in Queensland. Both cases highlight critical lessons for safety professionals across construction, marine operations, and heavy machinery industries.

Fire Eruption on Antarctic Supply Ship MPV Everest

The Antarctic resupply vessel MPV Everest, operated by Dutch-based company Maritime Construction Services, suffered a fire in the port engine room, destroying two inflatable rubber boats stored on deck.

The Australian Transport Bureau (ATSB) has launched an investigation, with the ship still days from reaching its dock in Fremantle, Western Australia.

The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) confirmed none of the 109 people among the expedition party and crew were injured in the incident. The vessel had just completed a two-month voyage to Antarctica, resupplying and changing over personnel at Australia's Davis and Mawson research stations.

Investigators from Maritime Construction Services, alongside relevant safety regulators, will determine the cause of the port engine fire. The vessel's damage has been classified as substantial and listed as a serious incident by the ATSB, with a completed report expected by the second quarter of 2022.

For full details on this incident, visit the ABC website.

Telehandler Incident Alert Issued by WorkSafe QLD

A worker died in January 2021 after a telehandler reversed over him while loading a crop-dusting plane with fertiliser. Investigations into this incident, which occurred on a private airstrip, continue to determine the exact cause.

Telehandlers pose several serious risks to both operators and pedestrians on worksites, including:

• Overturning during operation
• Operators being ejected from the cabin
• Objects falling onto the operator
• Pedestrian workers suffering crush or impact injuries

Employers carry a legal obligation to control risks associated with mobile plant, including hazards posed to nearby pedestrians. The most effective way to protect pedestrians involves ensuring people and vehicles cannot interact — this can be achieved by restricting vehicle access to pedestrian zones, or vice versa.

For further guidance on managing mobile plant hazards, visit the WorkSafe Qld website.

More Safety News from Around This Date

Catch up on other incidents reported this month, including our roundup for Tuesday 6th April 2021, plus updates from Tuesday 20th April 2021 and Tuesday 27th April 2021 for ongoing coverage of workplace safety incidents across Australia.