Crane Accidents
Effective Date: 3/27/1984
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 125
March 27, 1984
Crane Accidents
The Risk and Safety Analysis Unit of Minerals Management Service's (MMS) Regional Office for Rules and Production in Metairie, Louisiana, has just completed a review and analysis of 50 crane related accidents. These accidents occurred in the Gulf of Mexico OCS between January 1, 1971, and June 30, 1983, and resulted in 37 fatalities and 26 injuries. The major findings of the MMS review are as follows:
1. Crane accidents are more likely to cause injuries and/or deaths than many other types of accidents.
2. Employees attaching or releasing the load experience a greater risk to their lives, and are more likely to be injured or killed as a result of an accident.
3. The major contributing cause of crane accidents has been employee negligence and/or error.
4. About 44 percent of the crane accidents involved some type of equipment failure due to poor maintenance and/or overloading of the crane.
To reduce the risks and hazards associated with crane operations, lessees, operators, and contractors should analyze their training programs for personnel involved in crane related operations. API RP 2D, "Recommended Practice for Operation and Maintenance of Offshore Cranes," is an excellent foundation for a training program. Special attention should be given to the following areas:
1. Proper use of all equipment with particular concern to preventing equipment overload.
2. Proper maintenance of all equipment.
3. Short pre-job meetings with the personnel to be involved with crane related operations to remind them of the associated risks, procedures to be followed, and the proper use of the equipment.
[signed] D.W. Solanas
Regional Supervisor
Rules and Production