Beware of The Bight!
This week’s fatal accident at a very modern New Jersey container marine terminal reminds us, once again, of the inherent dangers that all workers face whenever assuming a pedestrian role in the marine cargo handling workplace.
Staying out of “the bight”, that is, staying away from the path of any potentially moving object, is an age-old waterfront axiom that continues to have affirmative meaning, even at today’s most modern marine terminals.
Even more specifically, the rear tandem wheels (bogies) of intermodal chassis can sometimes create a bight that defies the traditional fore & aft/side-to side motion that is most characteristic of a traditional “bight.” When engaged in a turning exercise, intermodal chassis are most capable of creating a bight that is arc-like in its nature.
Here’s a link to a short video that captures the hazard we’re speaking of: NMSA Learn & Live No. 2
Like yesterday’s fatal accident, just “hanging out” too close to a chassis that’s not even in motion can lead to some awfully dire consequences. Don’t believe us? Then just have a look at the terrible accident that took place at the inbound lanes of a U.S. marine terminal in September of 2006:
In sum, being a pedestrian at a marine terminal comes with some very significant hazards. Even when guarding against some of those hazards by:
1). Wearing high visibility clothing
2). Always staying within designated pedestrian walkways and safety zones
3). Training workers and visitors about your terminal’s “rules of the road”
Some risks simply defy solution!
Don’t be a statistic. Always be alert; never drop your guard!