0027/nd guidelines for Marine Lifting and Lowering Operations

GUIDELINES
 
FOR
 
MARINE
 
LIFTING
 
&
 
LOWERING
 
OPERATIONS 
0027/ND Rev 11 
 
Page 67 of 84 
18.10.10 
It shall be ensured that slings/grommets are properly handled and installed to allow for a safe 
connection to the hooks and subsequent tensioning. Slings/grommets should be handled in the 
fabrication yard in accordance with agreed procedures in order to prevent damage to them during 
handling and the identity marks are to be clearly visible when they laid down. 
18.10.11 
Attention should be paid during sling/grommet handling and laydown as they can suddenly whip and 
twist with considerable speed and force. Only personnel dedicated to the handling and laydown 
should be in the vicinity when these operations are undertaken. 
18.10.12 
All lifting equipment shall, as a minimum, incorporate one safety barrier / retention mechanism (e.g. 
safety latch, split pin, cotter pin etc.) which is adequately secured and protected against accidental 
release. These safety barriers / mechanisms should not be affected by lifting or external loads. 
18.10.13 
For lifting operations with dynamic forces which are large relative to the static weight of the object 
(typically subsea lifting operations), it is considered normal practice to incorporate a minimum of two 
(2) safety barriers, both of which are adequately secured and protected against accidental release.
The primary safety barrier should have adequate strength to accommodate any possible load direction. 
ROV spring safety latch hooks should be avoided if there is any possibility of slack slings / snap forces, 
even if there is a secondary barrier provided for the latch.
18.10.14 
Lifting equipment containing hydraulic, pneumatic or remotely operated release mechanisms shall be 
designed as fail safe. 
18.10.15 
Where slings/grommets are connected to lift trunnions, the slings/grommets should be mechanically 
secured to prevent release. 
18.10.16 
Connection and disconnection of the lifting rigging between lifted object and crane hook shall be 
planned in detail. The planning should/may include items such as, but not limited to: 

The safe handling of heavy lifting equipment during installation/connection or disconnection, 
e.g. shackles, lift tools and spreader bars/frames.

Where pins and sheaves are used for lifting, a system for pulling the pin should be in place for 
pins too large to pull manually. The system should also allow the pin to be pulled clear of the lift 
point and be supported prior to recovery. Where the sheave is recovered with the lifting sling, 
the sheave must be secured to the sling. 

Where shackles are used at the lifting system, a means of securing them to the sling is to be 
provided to ensure they are secure when they are recovered after the lifting operation if it is not 
possible to secure the pin back into the shackle. This is particularly important to hydraulically 
released shackles where the offset hydraulic unit will cause instability to the shackle. 

Easy access and appropriate working environment should be provided for riggers. Any access 
should allow for movement of the rigging across any access when the rigging system is raised 
or lowered. Where practical, the rigging should be laid down such that the connection points for 
the hook are at deck level to avoid working at heights.

The securing (during sea transportation) for rigging equipment that is pre-connected to the 
object. See Sections 18.10.1e and 18.11.4 

Attention should be paid to back loading of heavy lifting equipment to ensure that it carried out 
safely and that there is adequate deck space to land and store the rigging. 

Lift point details should ensure that the rigging can be easily and safely connected or 
disconnected. 

Protection for equipment or structures may be required to protect them from the movement of 
slings when they are disconnected from the lift points and raised for subsequent recovery to the 
crane vessel. 

For subsea lifting operations, the lift points and exposed areas of the lifted object should be 
designed to allow for the slackening of the rigging, release and recovery without snagging of the 
rigging.
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