Incorrect lifting equipment used
- Safety Flash
- Published on 23 June 2008
- Generated on 11 March 2026
- IMCA SF 11/08
- 2 minute read
Deck crew were lifting a full 200 litre (40 gallon) drum of Oceanic HW 443 (ethylene glycol) with the crane using a cargo strap drum lifter.
What happened?
As the drum was being lifted over some deck equipment it slipped out of the span set type drum lifter and dropped approx 6m to the deck. No one was in the area under the drum when it slipped out. The top of the plastic drum split and 40-45l of the fluid within spilled on to the deck. Shipboard oil pollution emergency plan (SOPEP) equipment was deployed and the spill contained to the immediate vicinity. No fluid was lost overboard.
Findings:
IMCA does not have details of the risk assessments, lift plans or toolbox talks, all of which could have identified the potential hazards, but the member’s further investigation revealed that the following factors were contributory to the incident:
- Poor choice of drum lifting device – a barrel span set lifting strop designed for lifting metal drums was used to lift a plastic one with sides that curved in slightly towards the lid which allowed the drum to slip out of the strop.
- There was a change in the lift plan without a reassessment of hazards.
- Lack of knowledge of the correct applications for this type of drum lifting gear.
Recommendations
Members are recommended to ensure that personnel are fully capable of identifying and using the correct drum lifting equipment.
Plastic drum with curved sides with barrel span set lifting strop – poor choice as intended for metal drums
Metal drum showing intended use of barrel span set lifting strop
Plastic drum with curved sides held securely in appropriate lifting equipment
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.