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The guarding of moving parts in an ROV
We have been advised of a recent accident when a ROV Technician working on a Tether Management System lost some fingers in a chain drive mechanism.
The company subsequently designed extra guards and is in the process of a retrofit programme.
A large mesh screen (as supplied by the manufacturer) had been removed to facilitate access to a tether which was being replaced. During the spooling on process of the new tether, the ROV Technician caught his hand between the chain and a large drive sprocket which operated the spooling mechanism.
Additional guards are now being fitted which are designed to cover the various chain drive mechanisms thereby offering protection when the main guards, supplied by the manufacturer, are removed for maintenance purposes.
It is recommended that members look closely at their operating procedures and equipment where removal of guards for maintenance purposes may expose potentially dangerous moving machinery.
Safety Event
Published: 1 January 1997
Download: 
IMCA SF 01/97
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