Everyday shipboard tasks pose hidden electrical risks, Gard warns

The following key practices are highlighted:

#1 Recognise the risks in routine operations

Electrical hazards should never be underestimated simply because a task is familiar or considered routine. Portable lamps, grinders and welding equipment can present serious risks, particularly when used in wet, humid or damp conditions.

Risk assessments should specifically address electrical hazards associated with portable equipment, including damaged cables, faulty connections and equipment exposed to rough handling.

Crew should also be trained not to relocate portable lamps while they remain connected to the power supply.

#2 Reinforce electrical isolation procedures

Electrical supplies must be properly isolated before maintenance or repair work begins. Lock Out/Tag Out (LOTO) procedures should be consistently implemented to prevent equipment from being inadvertently re-energised.

Gard’s review of accident cases identified instances where crew members suffered fatal electric shocks while repairing lighting without isolating the power supply.

Compliance should be regularly checked through onboard inspections and audits, ensuring that actual working practices reflect the procedures established in the vessel’s Safety Management System (SMS).

#3 Establish clear procedures for portable electrical equipment

Shipboard electrical safety procedures should cover portable equipment as well as fixed electrical installations.

Companies should establish clear requirements for the inspection, testing and maintenance of portable lamps, grinders, welding machines and associated cables. A register of portable electrical equipment can help ensure that inspections are properly monitored and defects addressed.

Only competent personnel should carry out electrical testing and repairs, while damaged or suspect equipment should be removed from service.

#4 Strengthen supervision and communication

Working alone during electrical maintenance or repair activities can increase the consequences of an accident, particularly if an injured crew member cannot immediately receive assistance.

Companies should assess whether tasks require additional supervision or a Permit to Work, taking into account the nature of the electrical hazard and the working environment.

Effective communication is particularly important where electrical isolation points are located away from the worksite. Crew should also be encouraged to challenge unsafe practices and exercise their stop-work authority whenever necessary.

#5 Address fatigue, workload and operational pressure

Fatigue, stress and workload can influence decision-making and increase the likelihood of unsafe practices.

Gard highlights that these human factors are not always adequately considered during accident investigations. Even where recorded hours of rest comply with regulatory requirements, they may not fully reflect the fatigue experienced by crew members.

Supervisors should therefore consider actual working conditions, operational demands and crew fitness before assigning safety-critical tasks. Pressure to complete work quickly should never take priority over established safety procedures.

#6 Ensure equipment is suitable for the working environment

The selection of electrical equipment should take account of the conditions in which it will be used.

Gard highlights guidance recommending low-voltage supplies, with a maximum of 50 volts, for portable tools and lighting, particularly in damp or humid environments and areas with large conductive surfaces.

Where low-voltage equipment is not practicable, appropriate protective measures should be implemented. These may include Residual Current Device (RCD) protection, which detects unintended electrical current flow and rapidly disconnects the supply.

Welding equipment should also be properly maintained and selected in accordance with applicable safety guidance. Where AC welding equipment is used, suitable voltage-limiting devices should be considered.

#7 Improve crew familiarity with equipment and safety systems

Electrical equipment and safety features can differ between vessels. Crew should therefore receive practical instruction on the equipment they are expected to operate, including its protective features and maintenance requirements.

Companies should go beyond theoretical training by incorporating practical demonstrations, walk-throughs and task-specific discussions with competent colleagues.

A working environment in which crew feel comfortable asking questions, reporting mistakes and raising concerns is essential to continuous safety improvement.

#8 Protect first responders

The immediate response to an electrical accident can create additional casualties if the power source has not been isolated.

Crew members must not instinctively touch an injured person who may still be in contact with an energised electrical source. Electrical power should first be isolated before approaching the casualty and providing assistance.

Emergency response procedures and training should reinforce this principle, ensuring that the safety of rescuers is not compromised.

A human factors approach to electrical safety

Gard’s analysis underlines that preventing electrical accidents requires more than equipment inspections and compliance with written procedures. The wider Performance Influencing Factors (PIFs) surrounding each task must also be considered.

Recognising hazards, maintaining effective supervision, managing fatigue, ensuring clear communication and providing practical training all contribute to safer working conditions.

Gard encourages shipowners and operators to examine not only serious accidents but also near misses and less severe incidents that could have resulted in significant injuries or fatalities.