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Dropped object risk

A member has reported finding the ‘job-made’ lifting hook shown below, rough cut from half inch steel plate, during a routine safety check at a vendor’s shipyard. The lifting hook was lying near a pad eye on a lifting frame for a piece of equipment about the size of an office desk and estimated to weigh 500-750kg. The company concerned confiscated the hook and intend using it for safety training of new staff, as an example of unsafe practice.

The lessons learned by the company concerned were:

  • Use only certified lifting gear in good condition;
  • Routine inspections of all lifting gear, such as wire rope slings, nylon slings, shackles, hooks, etc. for good condition and proper certification is a necessary practice;
  • All lifting frames for equipment should be fitted with properly certified and suitably rated lifting gear when put in service by the rigging supervisor.

Safety Event

Published: 2 October 2001
Download: IMCA SF 12/01

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