Safety Flash
Near-miss: Corrosion caused crane boom failure during heavy lifting
Near-miss: Corrosion caused crane boom failure during heavy lifting
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 21/15
- CorrosionCrane and RiggingInspection and MaintenanceStructural and Asset Integrity
- CorrosionMaterial fatigueMechanical failureStructural and asset integrity
- Cargo transferInspection and maintenanceLifting operations
- Crane
- Non-destructive testingOperating and work proceduresPreventive maintenance
- Port and quayside
Summary
A crane boom buckled during a 37T lift from a jetty towards a vessel; the load dropped approximately 30 cm without injury. Investigation identified apparent old fatigue cracking and internal corrosion missed by recent testing. Lessons recommend a more thorough NDE maintenance and inspection plan, including spot-check magnetic particle inspection or similar after-load testing.
Classifications: Corrosion; corrosion damage.
Classifications: Material fatigue; metal fatigue.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Structural and asset integrity; asset integrity; structural integrity.
Classifications: Cargo transfer; cargo handling.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Lifting operations; load lifting; hoisting.
Classifications: Crane; cranes.
Classifications: Non-destructive testing; NDT; non-destructive examination; NDE.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Preventive maintenance; preventative maintenance; planned maintenance.
Classifications: Port and quayside; quayside; harbour; harbor.
Summary
A member has reported an incident in which a crane boom failed under load while lifting a 37T load.
IMCA SF 21/15. Themes: corrosion, crane and rigging, inspection and maintenance, structural and asset integrity.