Lifting operations: Don’t close your eyes

An essential component of all offshore operations, the skills and knowledge required for lifting operations have to be gained through experience and training as well as from the study of written guidance. However, “Even when detailed planning is undertaken in a lift, there are still accidents, and some can be fatal”, said Ms Bugler.

Therefore a new, short DVD by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) entitled ‘Safe Lifting’ highlights the four vital elements for every lift. These are training; assessed and assured competence; procedure and planning and, above all, constant vigilance.

She went on to point out that when an operator thinks ‘I have done this a hundred times’ or ‘I can do this with my eyes closed’ it can result in an accident “that can close that operator’s eyes, or someone else’s for good”. She added that she understands these are “shock tactics” but continued, “We want everyone to understand the issues and the effects”.

Ms Bulger concluded by saying that the IMCA’s whole suite of lifting guidance has been readily accepted by contractors and clients internationally and provides an excellent basis on which to build company procedures and to assist in training.

“Above all, we urge all involved with lifting operations, ‘Take care, stay alert, be sure that all your lifts are controlled and, above all, safe’. What better message could there be?”

The organisation is certainly keen to get the message out there, as it is available in no less than 10 languages, including Indonesian, Tagalog, Brazilian and Russian.

The DVD (IMCA SEL 29) is based on IMCA’s related lifting good practice, particularly the guidance document, IMCA SEL 019/M 187 ‘Guidelines for Lifting Operations’. It is available at £10 +VAT for members and £20 +VAT from www.imca-int.com and from the IMCA offices.