Near-miss: quarantine of fall arrest equipment

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 20 March 2015
  • Generated on 27 December 2024
  • IMCA SF 04/15
  • 1 minute read

A member has reported a near miss incident in which lift arrest equipment was found to be faulty and was subsequently removed from use.

What happened?

During an annual inspection of equipment on a vessel, the inspecting person found that on three fall arrest devices, there was no stenciling on the arrestor and the safety device on the hook did not function correctly, as the hook could be opened without using the safety clip.

Quarantined fall arrest devices

Quarantined fall arrest devices

Hooks with faulty safety clips

Hooks with faulty safety clips

PICC Fall arrest devices

PICC’ Fall arrest devices

The inspector noted the following:

  • A clear guideline was the readability of the label. Because the fall arrest devices didn’t have the original labels showing the year of manufacture proof of this could not be ascertained.
  • The safety device on the hook was not working; the hook could be opened without using the safety clip.

Members may wish to carry out further spot checks of fall arrest equipment, and ensure that fall arrest equipment is always sourced from a reputable contractor.

Latest Safety Flashes:

Structural failure of rescue boat

A rescue boat suffered a catastrophic structural failure whilst unattended on the davit.

Read more
High potential: spontaneous opening of hydraulic release shackle (HRS) pin

During lifting operations on a vessel, a hydraulic release shackle pin opened on its own.

Read more
NTSB: diesel generator engine failure

The National Transportation Safety Board of the United States (NTSB) published "Safer Seas Digest 2023".

Read more
LTI: fall from height during anchor chain handling operation

A worker fell through an opening from one deck to another, and was injured as a result.

Read more
Sudden disconnection of pressurised hose

A contractor was performing maintenance on the bulk cargo methanol system on deck of a vessel.

Read more

IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.

The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.

All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.

IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.

The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.

Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.