Uncertified lifting gear found in use

What happened

A number of shackles and other lifting equipment were observed in use onboard a vessel with no certification or inspection reports available. Some equipment was colour coded by the crew and deemed as being in good condition; other equipment was not included in the vessel lifting gear register, nor was it colour coded. Further investigation revealed that lifting equipment had been left onboard and not removed after the end of the previous project, on which client-supplied lifting equipment was used.

What was the cause

• Company lifting equipment inspection processes were not followed: “Authorized competent person to conduct the lifting gear inspection process on an 6 monthly basis with further issue of inspection report”;
• Client-supplied lifting gear was not removed from vessel, nor quarantined;
• This same equipment was not presented to the vessel lifting gear inspection onboard,  conducted by the lifting inspection contractor;
• There was a lack of awareness of both relevant lifting equipment regulations and of local and corporate safety management system standards.

Actions taken

• An overall check of the lifting gear and relevant equipment was initiated and all identified non-compliant equipment was quarantined;
• Onboard discussion arranged for crew to better understand:
  • There should be no use of lifting equipment unless it has been thoroughly examined, tested and certified;
  • Colour coding of lifting gear or equipment should not be applied by crew without there being a relevant certificate or inspection report available.
• All lifting equipment available on board to be presented during testing and examination provided by competent authorized party.

Members may wish to refer to:

• IMCA HSSE 019 Guidelines for lifting operations
• Control of sub-contractor personnel: Unplanned and uncertified lifting operations
• Near-miss: Anchoring of rigging to uncertified points