Release of stored energy from coiled superloops
- Safety Flash
- Published on 30 October 2018
- Generated on 17 September 2025
- IMCA SF 24/18
- 2 minute read
A release of stored energy from a coiled superloop resulted in an injury to the person uncoiling the superloop.
What happened?
The Member reporting this notes that this is the second such incident that they have encountered in the last year.
Incident 1
Incident 2
What went wrong? What were the causes?
In both cases, the injured person was standing in the centre of the coiled superloop releasing fastenings when the sling sprang upwards, striking the person in the face. After the first incident, certain company personnel attended a training course specifically addressing the risk of stored energy in coiled superloops and how to control these risks when uncoiling. It was then the intention that these persons would be present at third-party yards to provide advice when company coiled superloops were being uncoiled.
However, whilst there was a trained person at the yard at the time of the second incident, uncoiling by untrained yard labour took place without taking his advice.
What was the outcome for the company?
Company work instructions have been updated to include safety instruction on the uncoiling of superloops. The intention of the safety instruction is to raise the awareness of the risks involved in uncoiling superloops and how to control these risks to third parties receiving coiled superloops.
Members may wish to refer to:
- Guidelines for lifting operations (IMCA HSS019)
- Line of fire (‘Be prepared to work safely’ video)
- In the line of fire (IMCA HSS036, classic safety video)
Related Safety Flashes
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IMCA SF 17/08
3 December 2008
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