HSE safety notice - Risk of serious injury from motion compensated gangways

HSE has issued a safety notice for:

• Windfarm clients, operators and Principle Contractors
• Offshore Installation duty holders
• Vessel owners and operators that use or operate a motion compensated gangway

Incidents involving motion compensated gangways (MCG) within the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) or Renewable Energy Zones have resulted in serious injury.

Recent incidents have highlighted the potential for, and in some instances have resulted in, serious personal injury during the deployment and use of motion compensated gangways.

Windfarm operators, installation duty holders and vessel owners or operators, using, planning to use or operating motion compensated gangways must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the system is safe and suitable for the purpose for which it is being provided.

HSE has identified required actions that duty holders should take:

• assess risk
• ensure any gangway auto-retraction provides suitable audible and visual warnings
• deliver instruction and training
• establish an inspection and maintenance regime

View this HSE alert in full here