Dropped object near-miss: Crane rest damage
- Safety Flash
- Published on 29 November 2016
- Generated on 9 May 2025
- IMCA SF 34/16
- 1 minute read
A member has reported an incident in which a section of H-beam steel plate fell from a crane boom rest.
What happened?
The incident occurred during the booming up of the vessel’s aft crane. The main hook “headache ball” or hook snagged the adjoining twin fall main block storage structure H Beam (Photo 1). This caused a 50 cm section of storage structure H-beam steel plate to be damaged (Photo 2). The H-beam section, weighing 20 kg, fell 40-50 cm into the main hook bucket which is 2 m in depth (Photo 3). There was a risk potential for the steel plate to have fallen 4.3 m to the vessel deck area below.
Aft crane
Section of H-beam (post collision with headache ball and hook)
Section of damaged H-beam
Further investigation of this incident is on-going. Our member’s initial investigation revealed the following:
- No Banksman in place for removing the crane from the rest.
- Ineffective communications between the crane operator and the banksman.
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.