Safety Flash
Near-miss: Internal bell door
Near-miss: Internal bell door
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 05/04
- DivingInspection and MaintenanceMachinery and Equipment
- CorrosionDropped objectsMechanical failure
- Diving operationsInspection and maintenance
- Diving bell
- Positive retention and reliable securingSafety communication
- Marine industry
Summary
A corroded hydraulic fitting failed during a dive, allowing the bell’s inner door to fall shut and narrowly miss the bellman’s feet. The flash highlights stainless-steel pipes and fittings, automatic gravity-driven latching rather than manual primary securing, and company instructions to inspect door arrangements and identify rectification programmes.
Classifications: Corrosion; corrosion damage.
Classifications: Dropped objects; falling objects; DROPS.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Diving operations; diving; commercial diving.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Diving bell; closed bell; wet bell.
Classifications: Positive retention and reliable securing.
Classifications: Safety communication; toolbox talk; toolbox talks.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Summary
A hydraulic failure caused a diving-bell door to fall unexpectedly, demonstrating the need for corrosion-resistant fittings and automatic latching.
IMCA SF 05/04. Themes: diving, inspection and maintenance, machinery and equipment.