Slips, trips and falls resulting from loose cables and hoses on walkways
- Safety Flash
- Published on 1 August 2003
- Generated on 15 May 2026
- IMCA SF 09/03
- 1 minute read
A Member has recently issued advice to its employees concerning slips, trips and falls. It notes that international review of incidents reveals that a substantial percentage of incidents are caused by slips (wet surfaces etc), trips (tripping over objects) and falls (from heights or otherwise).
One of the main obstacles on board vessels (also at shipyards and shore bases) is loose cables or hoses, etc., lying on deck or other areas.
There was a recent near-miss where a set of gas hoses together with welding cables were cut/damaged, causing a small fire.
The company has noted the following lessons learned:
- Gas and oxygen hoses and electric cables should be kept apart.
- Cable and hose ‘housekeeping’ should be maintained at all times, with proper maintenance to be carried out on all hoses and cables.
- Hoses and cables should be kept off of the deck/floor through the use of hooks or other means where possible (if this impossible, proper protection, such as thresholds, etc., should be used).
- Tools made available to keep cables and hoses free from the deck/floor should be used and supervisors should check this regularly.
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.