- Enter the IMCA Awards 2024: We\'re looking for outstanding Safety, Sustainability, and GHG projects.
- IP Code: Mandatory Code enters into force on 1 July. Make sure your company is up to speed with the changes.
- Early Bird tickets available for the IMCA Global Summit 2024. 3-4 December, Utrecht, Netherlands. Members can save £400.
- Discover how we are helping Members reduce emissions: Explore the ProjectGHG hub now.
- Now booking. Join the Lifting and Rigging community at our Technical Seminar in Amsterdam. Thursday 12 September 2024
- Now booking. Underwater Ship Husbandry Seminar. 10 October 2024, Singapore.
Pin from crane block sheave guard fell 25m
What happened
A member of UK Step Change in Safety reports an incident in which a main block sheave guard came loose from the main crane block and fell approximately 25m to the deck below.
The incident occurred when a container was being repositioned on a laydown area. The crane was being used, utilising the whip line and a pennant. The crane main block was not used due to the low weight of the load.
During the lift, a member of the deck crew heard a loud noise. On investigation, he found that the securing pin from a main block sheave guard had come loose, and had fallen to deck. Crane operations were immediately halted and the crane main block was brought to deck level for inspection. The fallen part weighed 0.8kg and fell 25m; it landed 2m from a member of the deck crew. This is could have been a potential fatality on the DROPs calculator.
What went wrong/causes
The sheave guide was secured by a spring clip. The crane block was supplied with this spring clip configuration. It cannot be determined if the clip had failed or was not installed correctly.
Lessons learnt/actions taken
The spring clip on the sheave guide was removed and replaced by a bolted configuration. All cranes in the fleet were inspected to ensure the same configuration was not present; if it was, it was corrected. Suppliers were informed of incident to ensure they no longer supply blocks with this configuration. Planned maintenance tasks were amended to ensure checks are carried out on condition of sheave guards.
The Step Change in Safety ‘Safety moment’ can be found at stepchangeinsafety.net.
Members may wish to review the following incidents:
Safety Event
Published: 20 October 2017
Download: IMCA SF 26/17
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.