Uncontrolled lifts of hinged deck hatches
- Safety Flash
- Published on 31 October 2007
- Generated on 22 March 2026
- IMCA SF 09/07
- 2 minute read
A Member has reported a number of incidents of uncontrolled lifts of a hinged deck hatch which resulted in damage to equipment onboard a vessel.
What happened?
There was no injury to any personnel. One incident happened during the lifting of a hinged hatch using webbing slings and a crane; the strops failed during the lift causing the hinged hatch to fall back to the deck. The other incident resulted in failure of the hatch hinges.
Because of the potential to cause harm and because of the recurrence of similar kinds of incident, a full investigation was carried out.
What were the causes?
The investigation team noted the following:
- Opening of this hatch has been considered a ‘routine’ activity.
- In both incidents, sufficient force was applied to the strops or the hatch hinges for them to fail.
- Lifting operations where the load remained attached at one end to the vessel via a hinge or other device represents an additional hazard that needs to be taken into account in risk assessment and lift methodology.
Lessons learnt
The investigation team recommended the following actions:
- Systematic review of all hatches which are required to be opened on a ‘routine’ or infrequent basis using mechanical lifting equipment, i.e. cranes or hoists.
- Review or completion of a risk assessment for the operation of these hatches.
- Ensuring controls are adequate to prevent failure of lifting equipment or hatches.
- Where controls are identified as inadequate, minimising risk, e.g. with a safe system of work or additional equipment or other means of control.
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.