Person pulled to deck by fall arrest harness
- Safety Flash
- Published on 19 March 2024
- Generated on 3 November 2025
- IMCA SF 06/24
- 2 minute read
A person was pulled to the deck of the moonpool platform.
What happened?
During moonpool preparations for running the a tool in the hole, the crane whip line was being lowered to deck under supervision of the deck supervisor. A third-party contract worker walked over the moonpool landing area with a fall arrestor connected to his harness. The swinging whip line contacted the wire of the fall arrestor, pulling the person to the deck of the moonpool platform. No injuries were reported by the person at the time of the incident.
Showing person in green helmet before incident. His fall arrest line illustrated in red
Showing person in green helmet pulled to the deck and crane block at top left
What went wrong?
- Lack of communication between the deck supervisor and the third-party contract worker.
- The third-party contract worker did not receive any instruction to stand clear during the operation.
- The whip line was lowered into area while operations were ongoing.
- The workers’ fall arrest was connected to the opposite side of the moonpool.
- There was a lack of situational and operational awareness – the person placed themselves in the line of fire.
- Parallel or simultaneous activities were being conducted.
What was the cause?
- Our member noted that:
- The immediate causes were:
- Inadequate preparations/planning.
- The root causes were:
- Inadequate discipline.
- Inadequate supervision.
- Inadequate reinforcement of proper behaviour.
Lessons
- Improve communication between personnel working together (deck crew and third-party contractors).
- Use taglines particularly in rough conditions or in congested areas.
- All personnel should remain clear when whip line is being lowered in the area.
- Take care to consider the safest connection point for your safety harness.
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.