SSM will keep focus on routine lifting and hoisting operations. There are still too many incidents on lifting and hoisting operationsBut we see also some maintenance related incidents. And errors in design and ability for testing/inspection.Incidents during preventive maintenance and inspection of hoisting equipment. Prepare! It is crucial to prepare lifting and hoisting activities. Prepare lifting and hoisting execution already in the design phase. Prepare lifting and hoisting activities prior to execution and consider all risks. Prepare safe lifting and hoisting in training and instructing staff (including the logistic planners). Lifting offshore, dare to prepare

1. Lifting offshore,
dare to prepare
Arnold de Groot

2. SSM will keep the focus on routine lifting and hoisting operations
There are still too many incidents on lifting and hoisting operations
But we see also some maintenance related incidents
Errors in design and ability for testing/inspection
During preventive maintenance and inspection of hoisting equipment
Prepare!
It is crucial to prepare lifting and hoisting activities
Prepare lifting and hoisting execution already in the design phase
Prepare lifting and hoisting activities prior to execution and consider all
risks
Prepare safe lifting and hoisting in training and instructing staff
Lifting offshore, dare to prepare 2

3. 3
Several incidents on the Dutch continental shelve in 2017
Collision platform crane with vessel (the odd one)
HWO unit two finger tips severed during rigging up
(and worker hit by load during the same rigging up)
Worker falls 3,2 meters from main deck to mezzanine deck while he was
hoisting CO2 bottles
Hand got jammed into the crane block during inspection
A diver’s umbilical got snagged by the crane, the diver was pulled
upwards

4. Collision platform crane with vessel

5. Platform survived 25 times the
design impact
Assessment of damage required to
risk assess removal options
Scope of removal contract will
change and cost will increase
significantly
5
Platform Crane severely damaged
Preparatory works for removal not
longer possible
Possible structural integrity issue
during lifting and transportation

6. 6
HWO unit two finger tips severed during rigging

7. Normal rigging up a HWO
Several items lifted by crane and installed on the unit
Installing bushings into the slip window in the middle section of the unit
An air winch is used to position the bushings
The second bushing did not slide into place
Worker trapped his fingers under a bushing severing the tips of his ring
finger and middle finger of his left hand
Inadequate communications to main office, the problem to install the
bushings was mentioned before. The supervisor knew about the
problems, he installed them when he was a HWO operator.
7

8. 8

9. Design, bushing not proper designed for installation
Risk assessments not for routine work like installing bushings
Not considered as lifting but installing equipment
Proper lighting, the lighting was limited in this HWO sector (design)
Proper points to attach fall protection (design)
Acceptance of risk during rigging up the HWO, the day before a
worker was hit by a hose what slipped out of a bundle of hoses lifted
by the deck crane.
9

10. Worker falls 3,2 meters from main deck to mezzanine deck
while hoisting CO2 bottles
10

11. Change out of CO2 bottles of the fire extinguishing
system for the high and low pressure vent of the
satellite platform. The CO2 cabinet is situated on the
mezzanine deck
Designed and commissioned the platform with the CO2
bottles out of reach of the crane. So the CO2 bottles
must be hoisted between the mezzanine deck and the
main deck
Davit and the removable railing where introduced
Basic idea onshore staff was to lift bottle horizontal over
the railing. However the offshore crew did lift the bottle
vertical.
Due to restricted lifting space the railing had to be
removable. No MOC was made for that
nobody has recognized the risk of falling from
height during these routine hoisting activities

12. Hand got jammed into the crane block during inspection
12

13. A work permit was prepared for all hoisting equipment inspection
activities, focus was on the inspection of the life boats davits
The permit does not consider the crane cable inspection
The risk of jamming fingers was not recognized on the work permit
No toolbox talks, in relation to the crane inspection performed
Signals were given by hand. Radio communication was not used.
Holding the dead end of the crane cable and looking up to check its
position to avoid damage to a nearby light
The injured person was lifted a little bit up and worse case he could be
dropped overboard and/or have severe hand injury
Maintenance/inspection work not considered as lifting
13

14. 14
A diver’s umbilical got snagged by the crane, the diver was
pulled upwards

15. 15
Non- recognition of hydraulic lifting equipment as a crane
lead to basic requirements not being applied: i.e. failsafe
communications and crane operator competence requirements.
‘Disciplined communications’ not followed on this occasion.
Horizontal distance - during lift - between the tool basket and the
diving basket was not recognised as a risk
Tool basket design has room for improvement
Operation not considered as a kind of man riding /
personnel lift

16. Onshore lifting above water
Escape / rescue plan?
16
Lifting operations:
It should never be a routine!