Termination of elastic shock cords
- Safety Flash
- Published on 1 September 2000
- Generated on 28 October 2025
- IMCA SF 05/00
- 1 minute read
We have recently learnt of a near miss where an ROV Supervisor used an elasticated shock cord (bungee cord) to secure a television monitor in place.
What happened?
The cord was terminated with a hook-type device but the cord itself was looped back on itself and clamped with a clip.
When the cord was stretched to the second firing point, the clip failed to hold, resulting in it pulling through the hook and spinning out violently, narrowly missing the supervisor’s face.
The company involved has undertaken the following actions:
- Replace, wherever practical, all bungee cords.
- If bungee cords are the only practical solution, ensure that a figure of eight knot is tied in the cord to prevent it being pulled through the hook end termination unit.
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