Positioning plate falls during lift

What happened?

During upending operations, the tower contractor was in the process of upending a tower section.

As the tower section was being lifted and tilted at an approximate angle of 40 degrees, the flange slipped slightly from the tower gripper module.

At this point, an object was seen to fall from the tower section.

It was later identified as a shim used to position the tower section correctly.

An all-stop order was immediately called and the situation was investigated.

Why did it happen?

After the investigation was concluded, it was identified that the gripper had been installed incorrectly and that a straight edge had not been used to measure between the gripper pads.

The shimming measurement was also not carried out in line with the lifting instructions.

The slight slip during lifting resulted in vibrations that opened a cabinet door attached to the upending hook.

This resulted in the shim, weighing 4.3 kg (9.5 lb), falling 10 m (32.8 ft).

It was also identified that shims should not be stored in this cabinet and should be secured in the back of the tower upending hook.

What did they learn?

Extra attention should be given when rigging lifting equipment, especially when lifting large or heavy items.

Any deviations from lifting drawings can have serious consequences.

Team members involved in lifting should always read and fully understand the work instruction.

Ask yourself or your crew

Are your team fully aware of the operations being undertaken?

How do we currently verify that all loose items have been identified and removed before a lift begins, and is that process sufficiently robust?

Is the correct lifting equipment being used and has it been set up properly for the current lift?

Have all team members involved in the work read the work and equipment guidance?

What happened?

During upending operations, the tower contractor was in the process of upending a tower section.
As the tower section was being lifted and tilted at an approximate angle of 40 degrees, the flange slipped slightly from the tower gripper module.
At this point, an object was seen to fall from the tower section.
It was later identified as a shim used to position the tower section correctly.
An all-stop order was immediately called and the situation was investigated.
Why did it happen?

After the investigation was concluded, it was identified that the gripper had been installed incorrectly and that a straight edge had not been used to measure between the gripper pads.
The shimming measurement was also not carried out in line with the lifting instructions.
The slight slip during lifting resulted in vibrations that opened a cabinet door attached to the upending hook.
This resulted in the shim, weighing 4.3 kg (9.5 lb), falling 10 m (32.8 ft).
It was also identified that shims should not be stored in this cabinet and should be secured in the back of the tower upending hook.
What did they learn?

Extra attention should be given when rigging lifting equipment, especially when lifting large or heavy items.
Any deviations from lifting drawings can have serious consequences.
Team members involved in lifting should always read and fully understand the work instruction.
Ask yourself or your crew

Are your team fully aware of the operations being undertaken?
How do we currently verify that all loose items have been identified and removed before a lift begins, and is that process sufficiently robust?
Is the correct lifting equipment being used and has it been set up properly for the current lift?
Have all team members involved in the work read the work and equipment guidance?