Skip to content

Faulty bevel machine trolley

A member has reported that when a pipe joint was landed on a bevel station conveyor and whilst the operator was removing the sling from this pipe with his right hand and resting his left hand on a vertical beam in the bevelling cabin, the powered trolley on the bevel machine (not in use at the time) moved forward without warning, trapping the operator’s left hand between the bevelling machine and the vertical beam, causing a fracture injury.

On investigation it was found that there was excessive wear on the drive wheel of the bevel machine trolley and the compensation had been adjusted to the limit. There was also a defective control valve and this caused uncontrolled movement of the hoist.

It was also discovered that the operator had noted a fault with the trolley the previous day, but had not reported this to his supervisor or barge management.

Key lessons noted by the company:

  • All equipment faults/defects to be reported by operators immediately on detection.
  • All control valves on all powered trolleys to be checked for integrity.
  • Bevelling machines and associated equipment to be included as part of PMS.
  • Hold toolbox talks with all machinery operators to stress the importance of reporting all equipment defects however trivial they may think they are.

Safety Event

Published: 1 July 2002
Download: IMCA SF 05/02

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 safetyreports@imca-int.com 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.