ILA Longshore Worker Fatally Injured In Steel Pipe Discharge Operation [Houston, Texas – 27 March 2018]

Posted by admin on Mar 27, 2018 in Bulletins

Reports coming to Blueoceana Company from Houston, Texas indicate that an ILA Local Union 24 longshore worker was killed this morning in a shipboard accident at Houston City Dock 20. We understand that the accident occurred aboard M/V GREBE BULKER (see photo below) in a steel pipe discharge operation being undertaken by one of the local Richardson firms. Further details will be shared here as they are received.

Update (28 March 2018):  As the relevant accident investigations are beginning to disclose, steel pipe discharge operations aboard M/V GREBE BULKER were in their sixth (6th) day and work at No. 4 hatch commenced operations on 27 March at 0700 hours. The preceding five (5) days were quite full (0700-2015 each).

At No. 4, the cargo consisted of six (6) inch diameter steel pipe; pre-slung in strapped bundles of two (2). Notwithstanding this arrangement, stevedore-supplied slings were being used to discharge six (6) bundles at a time with each bundle consisting of three (3) pre-slung sets. The gang at No. 4 was using one of the vessel’s revolving deck cranes (mounted between hatches Nos. three (3) and four (4)) to affect cargo discharge.

Immediately prior to the accident, with a draft ready for hoisting from a spot somewhat offset from the center of the hatch, the victim signaled the crane operator to begin the lift. The victim then ostensibly reached for his (nearby) backpack and coffee mug, as the draft was raised about 2.5 feet. At that point, the draft swung to center itself under the crane’s boom. During that movement, an adjacent stack of two (2) high bundled pipe fell into the hatchway. One (1) bundle of the two (2) bundle stow fell on the victim, forcing him down into a prone position. The second (2nd) bundle then fell across his back. Our understanding, is that the accident occurred approximately one (1) hour into the shift.

At present, we’re under the impression that the layers of stowed pipe were segregated/separated by 4″x 4″ dunnage comprised of  two (2) plywood pieces glued together, and that the swinging/departing load brought forces to the adjacent, two (2) high stowed stacks; causing the plywood separators to break and compromise the stow’s stability.

One eyewitness believes that the victim was standing atop the two high stack when it collapsed.

[Note: From the writer’s perspective, it is somewhat apparent that these glued-together plywood dunnage pieces likely lacked the necessary strength to support the loads being imposed upon them, and their failure appears to be a proximate causal factor in relation to this accident. With the advent of national/international requirements aimed at foreclosing upon invasive insect species, traditional wood dunnage is being rapidly replaced by such sub-standard means. Stevedores and longshore workers should take careful note of the latter’s shortcomings]

Link to (fairly non-informative) Media Account:  Investigation underway after worker crushed at Port of Houston (032718)