IMCA Safety Flash 11-23
IMCA has published Safety Flash 11-23.
Click to download the IMCA Safety Flash 11-23 here.
Inspection notice from Crosby on certain products
The Crosby Group has asked that IMCA circulate the following information as part of a Safety Flash. Crosby has been made aware (March 2023) of a few instances of hoist rings that have an important assembly component missing. In those instances, the retaining pins used to secure the hinge pins were not in place and allowed a hinge pin to come out during unloaded condition. Internal testing has confirmed that these hoist rings can sustain the working load limit with only one hinge pin in place. However, Crosby recommends the listed hoist rings be immediately inspected to confirm the retaining pins are in place. The inspection is simple and can be completed quickly with the hoist rings installed and unloaded.
Uncontrolled movement of spreader bar
A vessel was set up alongside a barge in preparation for the subsea deployment of a 16″ (40cm) spool. The spreader bar sea-fastenings were removed by the deck crew and as the crane raised the rigging, the spreader bar rotated uncontrollably causing it to fall from its supports, with the forward end landing on deck and aft end landing on the spool.
The potential for rotation was unforeseen; a rigger who was nearby had to move quickly to get out of the line of fire.
Equipment starts unexpectedly
THree mechanics obtained a Lock-out/Tag-out (LOTO) for a High voltage AC unit, and were performing routine maintenance on the unit. As one of them went to lubricate the bearings, the machine started unexpectedly. Work was stopped and a review was conducted. It was discovered that a linkage was broken in the circuit breaker handle and the breaker did not actually shut off when arranging the LOTO. The plant electricians repaired the linkage, the LOTO was rehung, and the work was completed.
Near Miss: steam and water released from filter
A mechanic was given a work order to clean out strainers from a boiler circulation pump. The mechanic was got to loosening the last two bolts, and stopped to wait to hear a “pop” indicating the lid coming up. The “pop” was a little bit more than was expected. As the mechanic waited for approximately 10 seconds, it was noticed that the pressure started getting more volatile with more air and water coming out. The mechanic moved out of the way, and called the control room to let them know what was going on. An operator and a supervisor responded and went to a valve that they thought might still be partially open. They attempted to try and close it. The supervisor tried with a bigger valve wrench and was able to turn the valve two more turns to close it off.
Maintenance and control of fire doors
A member has discovered instances of mandatory fire doors onboard their vessels being in a poor state of maintenance, and in some cases modified to alter the closing mechanism or tied back to prevent closing.
Our member notes that in recent months there have been repeated internal and external audit findings related to inadequate maintenance, unapproved modification and the incorrect functioning of fire doors onboard their vessels. This has included Port State Control Inspection deficiencies that have raised safety concerns and been communicated to the Flag State Authorities.
