Footwear misuse led to fall down stairs

摘要

A newly joined catering rating suffered chest and elbow injuries from falling down a stairway. The vessel was at anchor at the time, with wind conditions up to force 7 Beaufort scale with a 4m swell. The chief cook had instructed the rating to bring empty cartons from the provision store located a deck below. Soon after the rating left the galley, the cook heard the sound of a fall coming from the stairwell. He found the rating at the bottom of the stairs, rising to his feet with some difficulty. The rating claimed that while descending the stairs, empty-handed and holding the rail, his footing slipped and he lost his balance. He fell forward, hitting his chest against the railing and his elbow on the ladder stepsrnwhile trying to protect his head.