Safety Flash
Uncontrolled descent of diving bell
Uncontrolled descent of diving bell
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 01/14
- DivingEmergency ResponseHuman FactorsMachinery and Equipment
- Functional safetyHuman factorsRisk management
- Diving operations
- Diving bell
- Emergency responseOperational supervisionRisk assessment
- Vessel
Summary
A diving bell underwent two uncontrolled descents during lowering into a vessel’s moonpool. Umbilical damage during the second descent caused loss of bell pressure, without injury. Investigation identified operator error, failed programmable safeguards, gaps in risk documentation and supervisory understanding, and insufficiently defined emergency arrangements and safety scrutiny.
Classifications: Functional safety; safety instrumented systems; SIS.
Classifications: Human factors; human performance; ergonomics.
Classifications: Risk management; risk evaluation.
Classifications: Diving operations; diving; commercial diving.
Classifications: Diving bell; closed bell; wet bell.
Classifications: Emergency response; emergency preparedness.
Classifications: Operational supervision.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
A diving bell experienced two uncontrolled descents after operator error and programmable controller safeguards failed.
IMCA SF 01/14. Themes: diving, emergency response, human factors, machinery and equipment.