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What happened?
Personnel were transferring from a wind turbine to a boat.
A technician was pulled off the ladder after the fall arrest system retrieval line was caught by the boat fender.
The technician received first aid for potential broken limbs.
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Why did it happen?
The retrieval line was not fitted with a sacrificial (weak) link.
- The link would have broken under strain, reducing the severity of the impact to the person or equipment attached to the retrieval line.
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What did they learn?
All retractable fall arrest systems on boat landings should have a sacrificial (weak) link fitted on the retrieval line.
If weak links are missing or defective, they should be replaced. All teams travelling offshore should have replacement weak links available.
‘No weak link, no climb’ – If a retractable fall arrest system retrieval rope line is not fitted with a weak link, the climb should not go ahead.
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Ask yourself or your crew
What is the worst that can happen if a weak link is not fitted on the retrieval line? Think about the severity of the fall for yourself, your colleagues and equipment.
How can you check if weak links are fitted and functioning well?
What should you do if weak links are not fitted?
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What happened?
Personnel were transferring from a wind turbine to a boat.
A technician was pulled off the ladder after the fall arrest system retrieval line was caught by the boat fender.
The technician received first aid for potential broken limbs.
Why did it happen?
The retrieval line was not fitted with a sacrificial (weak) link.
- The link would have broken under strain, reducing the severity of the impact to the person or equipment attached to the retrieval line.
What did they learn?
All retractable fall arrest systems on boat landings should have a sacrificial (weak) link fitted on the retrieval line.
If weak links are missing or defective, they should be replaced. All teams travelling offshore should have replacement weak links available.
‘No weak link, no climb’ – If a retractable fall arrest system retrieval rope line is not fitted with a weak link, the climb should not go ahead.
Ask yourself or your crew
What is the worst that can happen if a weak link is not fitted on the retrieval line? Think about the severity of the fall for yourself, your colleagues and equipment.
How can you check if weak links are fitted and functioning well?
What should you do if weak links are not fitted?
Personnel was transferring from a wind turbine to a boat. A technician was pulled off the ladder after the fall arrest system retrieval line was caught by the boat fender.
