Down In the Drydock Jack Reich Region 9

Background • Crane accident reported by local radio station • Accident occurred at: –

Case Description • Dry-docking four construction barges • Two barges were already on dock

Case Description • Wing wall crane # 33 broke down • Crane # 34

Case Description • 850 feet away on South end-crane # 34 sat unsecured with

Case Description • Crane travels 850’ at estimated speed of 20 mph collided with

Findings • Employer Failed to: – conduct frequent and periodic inspections – properly maintain

Findings • Employer Failed to: – conduct a complete trial run to test the

Findings • There was a temporary dock master employed • Employer replaced automatic rail

Slides: 32

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Down In the Dry-dock Jack Reich Region 9 Maritime Representative MACOSH Meeting, July 2012

Background • Crane accident reported by local radio station • Accident occurred at: – full service shipyard located in Region 9 – 850 foot floating dry-dock capable of docking ships up to 60, 000 long tons. – Servicing military and civilian customers i. e. supply ships, cruise ships and construction barges

Case Description • Dry-docking four construction barges • Two barges were already on dock • Wing wall crane # 33 was used to lift employees onboard barges

Case Description • Wing wall crane # 33 broke down • Crane # 34 weighing 368 tons was put into service • Crane # 33 came back on-line • Dock was being trimmed to nine feet to bring in remaining barges

Case Description • 850 feet away on South end-crane # 34 sat unsecured with the operator onboard • Dock reached nine foot trim to the north • Crane # 34 began to travel • Ship superintendent hit emergency stop and attempted to tighten rail clamps • No results, crane continued to travel North

Case Description • Crane travels 850’ at estimated speed of 20 mph collided with rail stops • Crane started falling 60’ into the bottom of the dry-dock • Operator exited cab and dove into the water just before splashdown • Operator survived

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Findings • Employer Failed to: – conduct frequent and periodic inspections – properly maintain wingwall crane – use pelican hook to secure crane – inspect equipment before each use – ensure crane operators were properly trained

Findings • Employer Failed to: – conduct a complete trial run to test the route of travel before employees were lifted using super cage – conduct frequent or periodic inspections of the man basket

Findings • There was a temporary dock master employed • Employer replaced automatic rail clamps with manual type • Decided to use man basket to place employees on barge • Both cranes were inspected and certified less than one month before accident

Questions?

Contact Jack Reich. jack@dol. gov