LTI during deck cargo operations
- Safety Flash
- Published on 8 April 2021
- Generated on 16 October 2025
- IMCA SF 10/21
- 2 minute read
A crew member was seriously injured while pipe bundles were being lifted by crane from the vessel onto a fixed structure
What happened?
The incident occurred while lifting pipe bundles from the vessel onto a fixed structure. Two crewmen were ready to hook on the first pipe bundle after starting their shift at the stern of the vessel. The crane hook came down and one person secured the wires, and the other was getting the slings ready to hook onto the two hooks.
A sudden heaving of the vessel caused the distance from the crane to deck to increase. The injured person saw the hooks moving away and automatically tried to secure the wire whilst at the same time checking to if his colleague was clear of the hooks. It only took a second and he found himself around almost a metre up in the air before letting go of the wire. Unfortunately he landed badly and injured his right foot.
What went wrong?
The investigation uncovered no breach of procedure nor clear unsafe indicators that caused or led up to the incident. The crew were well aware of the weather but did not specifically discuss the risk of holding onto the wires should something go wrong.
What caused the incident?
Sea conditions caused movement of the vessel relative to the crane on the fixed installation. The injured person automatically held onto the wires.
Lessons learned
- Expect the unexpected: The toolbox talk and risk assessment process can be used to discuss mental preparation – how do we respond to an unplanned occurrence?
- Consider what our automatic or “instinctive” responses are. Are they the safest responses?
Related Safety Flashes
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IMCA SF 27/20
15 September 2020
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IMCA SF 05/20
13 February 2020
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