Dropped object risk

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 2 October 2001
  • Generated on 12 July 2025
  • IMCA SF 12/01
  • 1 minute read

A Member has reported finding the ‘job-made’ lifting hook shown below, rough cut from half inch steel plate, during a routine safety check at a vendor’s shipyard.

What happened?

The lifting hook was lying near a pad eye on a lifting frame for a piece of equipment about the size of an office desk and estimated to weigh 500-750kg. The company concerned confiscated the hook and intend using it for safety training of new staff, as an example of unsafe practice.

Lifting hook

The lessons learned by the company concerned were:

  • Use only certified lifting gear in good condition.
  • Routine inspections of all lifting gear, such as wire rope slings, nylon slings, shackles, hooks, etc. for good condition and proper certification is a necessary practice.
  • All lifting frames for equipment should be fitted with properly certified and suitably rated lifting gear when put in service by the rigging supervisor.

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