Improper use of lifting equipment

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 1 April 2002
  • Generated on 21 March 2025
  • IMCA SF 03/02
  • 1 minute read

A member has reported the following incident. 

What happened?

A driller was positioning a rig sub-structure base area, lifting up the front extension. The sub-structure was lower than the extension and the driller used a forklift to lift it up and push a connecting pin. He used the forklift to push the pin inside by one fork. While pushing, he started hammering the pin and the fork slid to one side and hit his right foot.

The driller suffered a fracture of his right foot.

The investigation revealed the following:

Improper use of equipment conventionally used only for lifting operations and the contractor involved has reiterated that forklifts shall only be used for lifting operations and the handling of goods.

Latest Safety Flashes:

LTI: rope under tension moved and hit person’s hand

A member of the crew suffered a serious hand injury when struck by a rope under tension.

Read more
Injuries during lifting operations

A member reports two separate lifting activities involving failure of lifting equipment and resulting in minor injuries to nearby personnel.

Read more
Finger injury during manual handling

An IMCA’s members’ utilities supplier in the United States reports a serious finger injury during manual handling

Read more
Acetylene gas explosion

There was a small explosion and fire when crew were working on an oxy-acetylene system.

Read more
Crane cab fire caused by fridge

On a vessel alongside, there was a fire in the cab of a crane.

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.