Safety Flash
BSEE: Swing rope transfers
BSEE: Swing rope transfers
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 12/23
- Competence and TrainingMarine OperationsSlips, Trips and Falls
- DrowningSlips, trips and falls
- Personnel transfer
- Competence and trainingRisk assessmentStop-work authority
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
This safety flash relays BSEE accounts of swing rope transfers involving a fractured foot, a shin laceration and a fall into water without injury. BSEE recommends standalone transfer operations, formal risk assessment, stop-work authority, competence assessment and alternatives where practicable. IMCA does not recommend swing ropes.
Classifications: Drowning; man overboard; person overboard.
Classifications: Slips, trips and falls; same-level falls.
Classifications: Personnel transfer; crew transfer.
Classifications: Competence and training; competency assurance; safety training.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Stop-work authority; stop work; stop-work intervention.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
The United States Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has published Safety Alert 456 relating to the dangers inherent to swing rope transfers. The BSEE notes that “personnel transfers using swing ropes and baskets present a considerable risk for offshore workers.” The use of swing ropes is not permitted in some parts of the world.
IMCA SF 12/23. Themes: competence and training, marine operations, slips, trips and falls.