Guidance on the use of Tag lines while working with Deck Cargo on OSVs'

In the past 5 years Indian offshore industry has had several serious LTI involving the misuse of Taglines.

The use of taglines should always be avoided while working with Deck Cargo loading and discharging.

The crew should not try to guide the load during its transit and should not go close to the load before its resting in the deck with no tension on the crane wire. The crew can then disconnect the crane hook after its laid down on the deck.

Charterer's cargoes mostly come with attached taglines. Most of the time the length and condition of these taglines are not as per standards making their use even more dangerous. The crew should not attempt to grab these taglines and should not guide the cargo on deck.

The chances of injury are aggravated during rough weather and during faster crane operating involving multiple simultaneous movements to the boom causing the cargo to swing vigorously.

Deck and W/H watch-keepers should be vigilant and always monitor the ever changing conditions during cargo handling and direct the crew to clear the deck.

In certain circumstances light, soft lines may be used to assist in the handling of long and/or fragile loads.  It should be recognized that whilst such aids may assist operations their use does introduce some additional risks, as described below.

¨      Potential injuries from dropped objects because of personnel having to work in closer proximity to suspended loads.

¨      Potential injuries resulting from personnel being dragged across the load handling area by a heavy load rotating in an uncontrolled manner and the tag line being snagged on limbs or clothing.

¨      Potential injuries resulting from tag lines being secured to adjacent fixed structures parting and snapping back because of a load rotating in an uncontrolled manner.

To mitigate some of the risks, the composition and make of tag lines should be as follows:

¨      Tag lines should be made up from single, continuous lengths of rope.

¨      Apart from the knot attaching the line to the load, there must be no other joints or knots in the line.

¨      Tag lines should be of sufficient length to allow personnel handling cargo to work in a safe position well clear of the load. In this regard it is recommended that the length of the line should be not less than 1.5 times the maximum height above the handling area at which the tag line arrangements are to be used.

When tag lines are being used the following precautions are recommended:

¨      Tag lines are an aid to positioning the load when landing, and as such should only be used when weather conditions permit the lifting of the item without the use of such arrangements. It should not be assumed that in more severe conditions the use of tag lines will allow the operation to be completed safely.

¨      At all times personnel handling tag lines should work at a horizontal distance from the load equivalent to its height above the handling area, maintaining an angle between the line and the horizontal of not more than 45o.

¨      All sections of the tag line, including slack should be kept in front of the body, between the handler and the load.

¨      Where two or more persons are handling the same tag line, all should work on the same side of the line. Any slack should be kept in front of the group.

¨      Tag lines should be held in such a manner that they can be quickly released. They should not be looped around wrists, or other parts of the body.

¨      Care should be taken when using tag lines whilst wearing gloves, to ensure that the line does not foul the glove.

¨      Tag lines should not be secured or attached in any manner to adjacent structures or equipment. This includes the practice of making a ‘round turn’ on stanchions or similar structures and surging the line to control the load.

¨      Where pre-installed lines are used consideration should be given to providing personnel with boat hooks or similar equipment to retrieve the lines without having to approach the danger zone in the vicinity of the suspended load. An example of such circumstances would be when lines are attached to a load on the deck of a vessel, the load then being transferred to an offshore installation.

In addition to the above, the crew on deck should be well aware of their surrounding and always keep the exit path clear of obstruction. The communication between the Deck and W/H should be clear at all times. The crew should never move below hanging load and always lookout for each other for safer operations.

References-

1. IMCA-Publication-254 (Guidelines for lifting operations) (Revision 1)-SEL 019
2. Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers for Gov of UK
3. OCIMF- Deck-Cargo-Management-Onboard-Offshore-Vessels
4. Guidelines for Offshore Marine Operations- Norwegian Shipowners association
5. Lifting and Mechanical Handling Guidelines 8th Revision-Step Change In safety Safety Group)
6. Oil and Gas UK-Best Practices-Issue 5-Nov 2011
7. Deep water Gulf of Mexico-Lifting and Hoisting
8. Occupational Safety & Health Administration- US Dept of labor
9. Shell guidelines
10. ONGC Operations Manual