Seven people were injured, three of them seriously, last Saturday Imabari shipbuilding's yard in Marugame City, Japan after a large load tipped over as riggers/slingers were disconnecting it from the crane.
The incident occurred while the crane was assembling a hull block with a length of 23.6 metres and a width of 8.1 metres. A top section measuring 23.6 metres long by 5.1 metres wide and 2.5 metres high was lifted and placed in a dual hook lift. After the lift was completed the riggers/slingers began removing the rigging to disconnect the load, as they did so the hull block unexpectedly began to lean over and then overturned. Most, if not all of the injured were on the block when it went over and were thrown or fell to the ground.
Of the three seriously injured, one, 22, suffered fractures to his pelvis, while another, 33, was originally said to be in a critical condition after sustaining serious injuries to his hip, legs and one of his heels, another had a very bad arm injury. The four others, included a bystander, were treated for minor cuts and bruises, but all seven were transported to hospital for treatment and have now been released of are in a stable condition.
The Imabari yard in Marugame City
The cause of incident is currently under investigation by the relevant authorities, Imabari said: “We would like to express our deepest sympathy to those who have been injured and apologise for any inconvenience and concern to those involved. We will fully cooperate with the investigation and in addition, we will take the seriousness of the incident solemnly and work on the entire company to prevent recurrence.”
The incident adds to regulatory pressure on Imabari Shipbuilding following labour and safety violations uncovered earlier this year. Japan's Immigration Services Agency imposed a five year ban on the company, prohibiting it from recruiting or training foreign technical trainees after an investigation revealed widespread violations of labour protection rules at training facilities in Imabari City. More than 2,000 foreign nationals were relocated to other companies as a result.
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