Fatality during transfer of pipes
- Safety Flash
- Published on 29 August 2023
- Generated on 15 December 2025
- IMCA SF 21/23
- 2 minute read
A Member passes information to IMCA relating to a recent fatality on a ship alongside.
What happened?
The incident occurred during the transfer of pipework between the quay and vessel, and is still under investigation by the local authorities.
This flash serves to raise awareness, as lifting operations are a regular occurrence in offshore operations along with mobilisation and demobilisation and there is the potential for similar incidents to occur on IMCA members’ vessels.
Actions
Lifting operations:
- Never exceed safe working load (SWL) during lifting operations.
- Never walk under a suspended load (see Step Change video linked below).
- Identify all entrapment and crush areas.
- Be aware of sudden load movement and loads swinging.
- Ensure effective barriers are in place to prevent unauthorised access.
Objects with roll or fall potential:
- Secure all loads that have the potential to roll before lifting, loading, unloading or transporting.
- Pay close attention when moving loads with all forms of transport.
- What will you do if the load shifts? Stay out of the line of fire.
- Secure objects that can roll such as tools, cylinders and poles.
Dropped object cone of exposure (drop zones):
- A controlled ‘drop zone’ should be half the height of the potential drop where possible with the area increased if potential exists for the falling object to be deflected by an obstacle, structure, wind and weather conditions.
Members may wish to refer to:
- Step Change in Safety “Safe Lifting, Working at Height, and Preventing Dropped Objects” – including short video
- HSS019 – Guidelines for lifting operations
- Short video: Lifting operations
- Short video: Line of fire
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.
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