Hand injury from falling object during lifting operations

What happened

A lifting saddle broke, causing a hose to swing and hit a crewman, causing an injury to his hand.  The incident occurred at completion of cement pumping between a vessel and a rig.  During recovery of the cement hose, the saddle handle broke, and this caused the hose to swing and hit the AB, who at that moment was giving a signal to the crane operator.  He was not under the hose or the load, but was approximately 10 meters away. Part of the hose was still in the water.  He was in the line of fire when the hose swung in his direction and he braced using his forearm, resulting in an injury.

What were the causes?

• The lifting saddle broke where the sling was incorrectly attached;
• The hose was lowered from the rig to the vessel deck only slinging the handle of the saddle and not passing it around the hose;
• The deck crew noticed this incorrect lifting arrangement but did not stop to correct or change it, and give the instruction to pick up.

Lessons learned

• Stop Work Authority should be exercised if incorrect procedures and unsafe conditions are noticed, particularly during lifting operations;
• Thorough and regular inspection of all loose lifting equipment.

Members may wish to refer to:

• IMCA HSSE 019 Guidelines for lifting operations
• Short videos – Are YOU prepared to work safely?
  • Lifting equipment    
  • Lifting operations 
  • Line of Fire
• Line of fire LTI: Finger injury during lifting operations  
• Uncontrolled movement of crane block and pennant during lifting operations at sea  
• Serious LTI – deck crew member struck by termination head/flexible 
• High potential dropped objects from wind turbine Nacelle crane