Lifting and rigging plans

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 7 August 2014
  • Generated on 18 November 2025
  • IMCA SF 14/14
  • 1 minute read

The Australian National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) published the following safety flash regarding the importance of lifting and rigging plans in safe lifting.

Recent NOPSEMA investigations of dangerous occurrences during non-‘routine’ lifting and rigging activities, which resulted in dropped objects and failed rigging equipment, have identified a trend in the absence of effective lifting and/or rigging plans for an operation or partial completion of a plan which was considered ineffective.

The safety flash can be downloaded from https://www.nopsema.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021-03/A359047.pdf

Members are encouraged to reiterate the importance of lifting planning to their personnel. Further information on lifting and lift plans can be found on IMCA publications.

Members are encouraged to reiterate the importance of lifting planning to their personnel. Further information on lifting and lift plans can be found from IMCA LR006 – Guidelines for lifting operations.

Latest Safety Flashes:

Fingertip crush injury sustained during lifting operation

A rigger sustained crush injuries to several fingertips working on deck during the relocation of a pressure cap

Read more
Stay in the right place – the importance of personal positioning

A member reports two dissimilar events, both of which highlight the importance of ensuring you are not in the wrong place.

Read more
Slipped on stairs, broken finger

A worker slipped while descending the staircase, and broke his finger as a result

Read more
Condensation Hazard on Electrical Panel (440V)

During a recent inspection, condensation water was observed dripping directly onto a 440V electrical panel in the engine room.

Read more
Broken equipment repaired or replaced

A member highlights several cases of emergency equipment being broken or unserviceable.

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.