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Equipment at height not properly secured

A member has reported an incident in which tools were found inappropriately secured above a pedestrian walkway. A slip-in spade was found tied to a hand rail with a badly chafed rope. A piece of thin copper wire had been used to compensate for the poor condition of the rope. At the time of the observation, the copper wire had started to corrode and did not appear to be a sufficient method for securing the spade.

The location of the handrail was outside the outer boundary of the decking. This overhang meant that the decking would have provided no protection had the spade become unsecured and had fallen. Directly below the spade was a pedestrian walkway as indicated by yellow markings.

The spade was removed immediately and the observation was reported. There were no injuries.

Spade secured to handrail
Spade secured to handrail
Spade secured to handrail
Spade secured to handrail
Spade secured to handrail and view to deck below
Spade secured to handrail and view to deck below

This observation and subsequent action to eliminate the hazard undoubtedly prevented a near miss or injury to personnel had the spade fallen.

Members are encouraged to forward this information to offshore personnel as a reminder to properly secure equipment and tools when working at height.

Further information on safe working at height can be found in the following IMCA safety promotional material:

Safety Event

Published: 29 February 2012
Download: IMCA SF 02/12

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