Crane hydraulic hose caught on protruding grease fitting

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 9 October 2020
  • Generated on 19 February 2026
  • IMCA SF 29/20
  • 1 minute read

What happened?

While retracting the outer jib of the boom during crane operations, one of the hydraulic hoses caught on the protruding grease fitting of the boom bearings, which could have led to a failure of the crane and hydraulic oil spill due to hose rupture.

While retracting the outer jib of the boom during crane operations, one of the hydraulic hoses caught on the protruding grease fitting of the boom bearings, which could have led to a failure of the crane and hydraulic oil spill due to hose rupture.
While retracting the outer jib of the boom during crane operations, one of the hydraulic hoses caught on the protruding grease fitting of the boom bearings, which could have led to a failure of the crane and hydraulic oil spill due to hose rupture.
While retracting the outer jib of the boom during crane operations, one of the hydraulic hoses caught on the protruding grease fitting of the boom bearings, which could have led to a failure of the crane and hydraulic oil spill due to hose rupture.

What were the causes? What went wrong?

The hydraulic hose routing on the crane boom was incorrectly lined up allowing the excess of the hose to catch the grease fitting – there was insufficient pre-use inspection of the crane.

Actions taken

  • Stop Work Authority was used by Master and crane operations were suspended until a fix could be arranged.

  • The hose was fixed in a correct way to prevent it catching.

  • Proper pre-use inspection should be conducted before each crane operation.

  • Check your own cranes for the possibility of snagging or catching of this sort.

Latest Safety Flashes:

Fall from height during mooring due to rope tension reaction

Rope became entangled with the propellor during mooring operations of a tanker causing the operator to lose balance and fall onto the lower platform.

Read more
Missing protection – progressive wear on hydraulic hoses causes damage

During an inspection, several hydraulic hoses and fuel hoses were found in direct contact with surrounding surfaces and sharp edges.

Read more
Small engine room fire – flammable object ignited

While ramping up the starboard main engine, a small flammable foreign object ignited.

Read more
Positive: damage to Fast Rescue Craft davit wire rope caught before failure

During routine checks, it was observed that the FRC davit wire rope had a visible fracture at the socket termination area.

Read more
BSEE: Miscommunication and trapped pressure causes injury during valve maintenance

BSEE has published Safety Alert 509 relating to a gas release incident on an offshore platform.

Read more
More Safety from IMCA

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.

We may use anonymised cookies for some functionality on this site. With your consent, we would also like to use tracking to improve our online offering. Find out more.