Fatality during maintenance of elevator lift
- Safety Flash
- Published on 1 November 2001
- Generated on 6 December 2024
- IMCA SF 13/01
- 2 minute read
The following fatality, which occurred during a routine maintenance task on an elevator lift installed on a rig, has been reported to IMCA.
What happened?
The task being undertaken was to change the wire that raised and lowered the lift. During the operation, the securing arrangement used for this maintenance task failed and the lift fell over 100 feet to the bottom of the lift shaft. The Barge Supervisor was on top of the lift when it fell and he died of his injuries.
At present, the exact details of what happened have not yet been fully established, but the company concerned and the UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) are conducting detailed investigations into the incident.
The company concerned has undertaken to carry out the following actions:
- Maintenance activities are to be reviewed and risk assessed to ensure that there are adequate controls in place before the start of a job. This may mean that additional assessment procedures will need to be drawn up for more complex activities.
- The requirements of the UK Region Permit To Work (PTW) procedures are to be studied. Department heads, in conjunction with the OIM shall review and, if appropriate, reinforce the PTW system for maintenance activities.
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.