Weight Handling Accidents and Near-Misses
In addition to the investigation and reporting requirements of OPNAV Instructions 5102.1 and 5100.23, activities shall investigate and report accidents in accordance with this section. There are two general categories of accidents as defined below. Crane accidents are those that occur during operation of a category 1, 2, 3, or 4 crane. Rigging gear accidents are those that occur when gear covered by section 14 is used by itself in weight handling operation, i.e., without category 1 through 4 cranes, or when covered gear is used with multi-purpose machines, material handling equipment, (e.g., forklifts) and with equipment covered by NAVFAC P-300 in a weight handling operation.
Crane Accident
A crane accident occurs when crane, operator, crane’s supporting structure, or lift procedure fails to perform correctly during operation, including operation during maintenance or testing resulting in the following:
1. Personnel injury or death. Minor injuries that are inherent in any industrial operation, including strains and repetitive motion related injuries, shall be reported by the normal personnel injury reporting process of the activity in lieu of these requirements.
2. Material or equipment damage.
3. Dropped load.
4. Derailment.
5. Two-blocking.
6. Overload. (This includes load tests when the test load tolerance is exceeded.)
A component failure (e.g., motor burnout, gear tooth failure, bearing failure) is not considered an accident solely due to material or equipment damage unless the component failure results in damage to other components (e.g., dropped boom, dropped load, roll over, etc.).
Rigging Gear Accident
A rigging gear accident occurs when the rigging gear, user of the gear, the gear’s supporting structure, rigging procedures fails to perform correctly during weight handling operations resulting in the following:
1. Personnel injury or death. Minor injuries that are inherent in any industrial operation, including strains and repetitive motion related injuries, shall be reported by the normal personnel injury reporting process of the activity in lieu of these requirements.
2. Material or equipment damage that requires the damaged item to be repaired because it can no longer perform its intended function. This does not include superficial damage such as scratched paint, damaged lagging, or normal wear on rigging gear.
3. Dropped load.
4. Two-blocking of cranes and powered hoists.
5. Overload. (This includes load tests when the test load tolerance is exceeded.)
How to Report Accidents
Upon having an accident or having seen evidence of damage (suspected accident), the crane team, riggers, equipment users, etc., shall stop all operations and notify immediate supervisor(s). If there is impending danger to the equipment or personnel, place the crane and/or load in a safe position prior to notifying supervision. Ensure the accident scene is secured and undisturbed so as to facilitate the investigation. The supervisor shall review the situation and take any further emergency action, including stopping production work or other operations that could aggravate the situation. The supervisor shall notify management personnel as well as the safety office.
Notify the Navy Crane Center (Code 07) by fax (757-967-3808), phone, or e-mail (nfsh_ncc_accident@navy.mil) as soon as practical but not later than 24 hours after an accident involving a fatality, in-patient hospitalization, overturned crane, collapsed boom, or any other major damage to the crane, load, or adjacent property. For all other accidents, notify the Navy Crane Center as soon as practical but
no later than three working days after the accident. If notification is by fax or e-mail, provide a point of contact for additional information.
CRANE AND RIGGING GEAR ACCIDENT REPORT FORM (NAVFAC PUB-307 Fig 12-1)
Near Misses and Other Unplanned Occurrences.
Near misses and other unplanned occurrences with lessons to be learned that do not fall under the crane and rigging gear accident definitions, shall be reported using the Near Miss Report form. E-mail the Naval Crane Center (noted above) within 30 days of the occurrence. A near miss is a situation where an accident was avoided by mere chance or where intervention prevented an ongoing sequence of events that would have resulted in an accident. It is not intended that the investigation and report be as thorough as that for a crane or rigging gear accident; however, the investigation and report should be commensurate with the significance of the event.
CRANE AND RIGGING GEAR NEAR-MISS REPORT FORM (NAVFAC PUB-307 Fig 12-2)
