Safety Alert

Number: 22-16 Published: 09/12/2022

Subject: Lifting Operations – ‘Line of Fire’
What Happened / Narrative

This alert has been submitted by an MSF member that has recently observed a developing trend in incidents on the back
deck of their offshore support vessels. Separate incidents outlined below have been reported whereby crew members have
been caught in the ‘Line of Fire’ which has resulted in injuries in several cases.
The intent of this safety alert is to serve as a reminder and discussion point for the hazards involved in lifting operations.

Incident 1:
Crewmember was in close proximity to a load attempting to free a snagged sling, insufficient slack was provided in the lifting
pennant resulting in the crane line coming taut due to vessel movement and the lift being overturned which contacted with
the IP causing bruising and injury to the leg.

Incident 2:
A crewmember was hit on the head by the crane headache-ball which was being lowered to the deck resulting in the
crewmember being knocked to the deck and injuring his back and shoulder. The banksman is reported to have asked the
crane operator to stop lowering, but the hook continued to descend whilst the IP was in the line of fire.

Incident 3:
A crewmember was caught in the bight of a tagline which came taut as the load was lifted, resulting in his leg being lifted
approximately 1ft above the deck. Fortunately, the lift was able to be stopped and the entanglement resolved before being
lifted further.

Incident 4:
The deck crew were observed loading containers in port and were actively reaching to capture containers whilst being
lowered to the deck to physically manoeuvre them into position using only their hands.

Incident 5: Incident 6:
Pinched hand injury sustained whilst working Bridle snagging event reported during offshore cargo
deck cargo at an offshore installation. operations.

The information contained within this Safety Alert and the associated MSF web site is provided in good faith for the benefit of our members and does not
constitute and is not intended to constitute professional advice or any form of formal representation on behalf of any MSF member or officer. The text as
provided by submitting organisations may be amended to ensure that it is brief, informative and readable but will as far as reasonably practicable remain
as per the intent of the original submission. For the avoidance of doubt, no liability whatsoever shall be attached to any guidance, recommendation or
statement contained therein. Contents should be reviewed individually by recipients who will determine relevance to their own operations.
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 Safety Alert
Corrective Actions / Recommendations

The originator of this alert circulated the details to their fleet advising that they should hold a safety standdown to discuss
the above incidents, and ensure that the following requirements are satisfied during all lifting operations onboard:
1. Clear deck and hands off policy:
a. The deck crew must remain in a safe location or safe haven while any item of deck cargo is being lifted or landed. The crew
must not approach a lift until the crane operator confirms it is safe to do so.
b. No-one should approach a landed lift until the crane operator confirms it is safe to approach.
c. No-one should touch the load or lifting equipment with any part of their body until the load has been lifted, lowered, properly
set down, and any potential energy released.

2. Taglines:
a. Should not be used for routine operations. Where this cannot be avoided, a specific risk assessment should be in place for their
use. Tag lines should only be captured using boathooks or other extendable pole to keep people clear of the lift. They should
only be handled from the extreme tail end and held ready for immediate release with no wraps around body parts. Lines should
be held at an angle of no less than 45˚ to maintain control and clearance at all times. No-one should ever stand in the bight of
a rope.
3. Banksmen:
a. Where possible a banksman should always be present for monitoring and controlling all lifting operations, they should not be
part of the load handler team and should have no other duties that may distract them from monitoring what’s happening on
deck. They should have visibility of the crane and load handler, should maintain the clear deck and hands-free policies, identify
snagging points, ensure effective communications, and continually monitor and supervise all lifting operations.
4. Communications:
a. There should always be effective communications between the deck crew, the crane operator and the vessel bridge. The
banksman should be easily identifiable and preferably within sight of the crane operator in the event that hand signals need to
be used.

5. Stop the Job:

a. Always remember that all personnel have the authority to STOP THE JOB and that keeping people safe should be at the heart
of all lifting operations.
Look out for yourselves and one another, stay focussed and aware of your surroundings at all times. If necessary, have the
courage to speak up, ‘Stop the Job’ and take any actions that are necessary to keep you and everyone else safe.

The information contained within this Safety Alert and the associated MSF web site is provided in good faith for the benefit of our members and does not
constitute and is not intended to constitute professional advice or any form of formal representation on behalf of any MSF member or officer. The text as
provided by submitting organisations may be amended to ensure that it is brief, informative and readable but will as far as reasonably practicable remain
as per the intent of the original submission. For the avoidance of doubt, no liability whatsoever shall be attached to any guidance, recommendation or
statement contained therein. Contents should be reviewed individually by recipients who will determine relevance to their own operations.
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