Safety Flash
Dropped object: Failure of lump hammer
Dropped object: Failure of lump hammer
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 02/15
- Dropped ObjectsMachinery and EquipmentWorking at Height
- Dropped objectsMechanical failure
- Working at height
- Hand tools
- Exclusion zonesOperational supervisionPositive retention and reliable securingPre-use checks
Summary
A lump hammer head detached while personnel removed tensioner gearbox dowels on a pipelay tower, falling approximately 25 metres to the deck without injury. The flash examines pre-use inspection limitations, shaft-only tethering and exclusion arrangements, and records actions to prevent further use of this hammer brand at height.
Classifications: Dropped objects; falling objects; DROPS.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Working at height; work at height.
Classifications: Hand tools; hand-held tools; handheld tools.
Classifications: Exclusion zones; red zones; restricted access zones.
Classifications: Operational supervision.
Classifications: Positive retention and reliable securing.
Classifications: Pre-use checks; pre-use inspection.
Summary
A hammer head detached during elevated work and fell 25 metres, demonstrating the need for tools specifically designed for height work.
IMCA SF 02/15. Themes: dropped objects, machinery and equipment, working at height.