Damaged wire rope slings

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 20 February 2014
  • Generated on 18 December 2025
  • IMCA SF 02/14
  • 1 minute read

A Member has reported an incident in which rope access personnel were found to be using damaged wire rope slings, which could have led to a dangerous situation and/or accidents.

Damage to wire rope slings

Damage to wire rope slings

Damage to wire rope slings

Damage to wire rope slings

Damage to wire rope slings

Damage to wire rope slings

Our Member took the following actions:

  • All wire rope slings were inspected and checked before use at site (visual inspection) for deformities and wear and tear.
  • Test certificates to be inspected before slings are used at site/yard.
  • Ensured personnel were fully aware of this issue.
  • Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn while lifting/handling slings.
  • Manufacturer of the slings notified in regard to any defects/cuts/kinks in wire rope slings.
  • Damaged wire ropes and slings should be removed from service immediately.

Latest Safety Flashes:

Two Walk-to-Work gangway incidents

A member reports two related incidents involving Walk-to-Work gangways.

Read more
Dropped object – Bailout cylinder inside diving bell

During bell preparations for saturation diving operations, an incident occurred within the vessel’s saturation system.

Read more
Man overboard in port: Seaman falls from quay access ladder

A crew member fell overboard during operations alongside.

Read more
LTI: Leg injury while using hand-held grinder

A worker suffered a leg injury whilst using a hand-held grinder.

Read more
BSEE: Anchor-handling causes damage to subsea equipment and triggers gas release

The United States Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has published Safety Alert 508 on 30 September 2025.

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.