During a plant turnaround, fan tubes being lifted by a crane-operated tube tray slid off the tray and fell into the crane operator's cab below when the tray deviated from horizontal. Photographs show the operator's seat pierced by the unsecured fan tubes after the accident, serving as a reminder that all lifts require proper rigging and load securing to prevent serious injury or loss of life. The crane operator fortunately suffered only minor scratches.

1. Crane Incident

2. These pictures are of a crane incident that occurred in
the Netherlands at Shell's Antwerp Refinery. During
a major turnaround, fan tubes were being lifted using
a tube tray. During the lift and while the tube tray
was directly over the crane operator's cab, the tube
tray deviated from horizontal and the fan tubes slid
off and plunged like arrows into the operator's cab.
Note that the tubes were not properly secured to the
tray during the lift operation. The attached pictures
show the condition of the operator's seat just after the
accident. The pictures tell the tale.
Crane Incident

3. Scenario

11. Crane Incident
This is a reminder to take all "lifts”
seriously, from the lightest and least
complex to the heaviest and most
complex. Proper rigging and
securing of loads SAVES LIVES.
Post script – Amazingly (and thankfully), the
operator suffered only minor scratches in one
leg.