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Occupational Safety and Health Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
Process: Rigging
Hazard: Falls
Case History
A rigger was using a tag line to help position a large piece of ship's equipment. His working surface was a grating level next to an open cargo area. When the primary rigging gear broke loose, it caught the rigger's foot, causing him to lose his balance. He fell into the water-filled cargo area (tanks) and drowned.
Source: OSHA Video: Examining Fatal Shipyard Accidents
Analysis and Preventive Measures
The cause of the accident was a rigging failure; the line was improperly attached to the hook. However this accident became a fatality because the rigger was not tied off properly. Fall protection would have prevented his death.
Hooks should be equipped with a safety latch or moused.
Personal flotation devices should be worn by workers exposed to falls into water.
Workers must be provided with fall protection such as catwalk guardrails or a fall arrest system.
Always ensure the load is properly rigged.
C-11