Correct specification of shackles
- Safety Flash
- Published on 3 January 2005
- Generated on 23 November 2025
- IMCA SF 01/05
- 2 minute read
Further to reports of counterfeit shackles appearing in West African and European markets (see Safety Flash 11/04 (Copies of Crosby shackles)), a Member has reported ‘many counterfeit shackles and other lifting components appearing in the supply chain’.
The Member has provided the following advice to all relevant personnel in the company and has asked IMCA to further disseminate this important information.
Such counterfeit components may not meet the rigorous standards which bona-fide products are manufactured to. These standards serve as the only guarantee to ensure consistency of steel and product performance. It is thus extremely important that shackles are procured against recognised standards applicable in the region of operation.
For example, in Europe and Africa, the following European standard is suggested when setting out a specification for purchasing shackles: EN 13889 – Forged Steel Shackles for General Lifting Purposes – D Shackles and Bow Shackles – Grade 6 – Safety.
Actions
It is strongly recommended to check with recognised manufacturers, who issue product data sheets for most of their lifting products in order to make it easier to identify the various safety features of the products manufactured against a particular standard.
The company recommends that the following personnel be made aware of this issue, to ensure that they always specify, buy and use genuine lifting components:
- all engineers who specify lifting components and assemblies
- personnel engaged in purchasing
- rigging personnel, i.e. those who use the components.
The company is also contacting its suppliers to ensure that they know exactly which manufacturing source/supply they obtain their shackles from, i.e. not just accepting at face value that all is correct because a supply company may be Europe/USA-based, as such a company could itself be inadvertently supplied with counterfeit products if rigorous checks are not made.
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.