Safety Flash
BSEE: Failure of crane hydraulic boom cylinders
BSEE: Failure of crane hydraulic boom cylinders
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 27/18
- Crane and RiggingInspection and MaintenanceMachinery and EquipmentStructural and Asset Integrity
- Dropped objectsMechanical failureStructural and asset integrity
- Inspection and maintenance
- Crane
- Offshore installation
Summary
Two crane hydraulic boom cylinders failed successively on a Gulf of Mexico platform. Specialist inspection identified unequal rod lengths, coupling stress and inferior welds. One cylinder dropped onto the deck; its replacement struck a handrail. BSEE recommended considering matched rod lengths, configuration reviews and replacement sourcing from original or certified manufacturers.
Classifications: Dropped objects; falling objects; DROPS.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Structural and asset integrity; asset integrity; structural integrity.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Crane; cranes.
Classifications: Offshore installation; offshore platform; offshore rig.
Summary
Two hydraulic boom cylinders failed because mismatched rod lengths and inferior welds overstressed their couplings.
IMCA SF 27/18. Themes: crane and rigging, inspection and maintenance, machinery and equipment, structural and asset integrity.