Skip to content

Crane hydraulic hose caught on protruding grease fitting

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.

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.

Members may wish to refer to

Safety Event

Published: 9 October 2020
Download: IMCA SF 29/20

IMCA Safety Flashes
Submit a Report

IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of all. The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on Members sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Please consider adding [email protected] to your internal distribution list for safety alerts or manually submitting information on incidents you consider may be relevant. All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate.

IMCA’s store terms and conditions (https://www.imca-int.com/legal-notices/terms/) apply to all downloads from IMCA’s website, including this document.

IMCA makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in the documents it publishes, but IMCA shall 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.