Confidential Human Factors
Incident Reporting Programme
The Charity
Aviation
Maritime
M2628
Initial Report
The reporter informed CHIRP that scaffolders were improperly using their twin-lanyard fall arrestors while working at height. They were reconnecting the spare lanyard to the load-bearing points on their harnesses while using the second lanyard on an external anchor point.
The reporter noticed this and spoke with the scaffolders’ supervisor, asking him to inform the team about the error and how it could prevent their arrestors from deploying correctly during a fall. The reporter was dismissed by the contractor, who said this is how they always work. The reporter felt unheard and unvalued
CHIRP Comment
For a ship’s crew member to feel ignored when raising a safety concern is unacceptable. In this case, the reporter correctly raised concerns about the improper use of twin-lanyard fall-arrest equipment. When a safety concern is raised, work should stop immediately. The Master should be consulted without delay, and the contractor’s supervisor informed of the vessel’s safety expectations and company policy. Unsafe conditions should always result in a clear, well-supported Stop Work decision.
Members commenting on this report highlighted a broader issue of poor safety culture, including gaps in leadership and accountability. Training alone is not enough unless it is supported by clear expectations and visible leadership. Improved training of both crew and contractors, combined with a shared understanding of accountability, would help prevent similar situations.
Falls from height continue to occur because people become briefly disconnected while moving. In maritime environments, twin-tail fall-arrest lanyards should always be used to ensure continuous attachment. The principle is simple: one connection must always remain attached. Before moving or passing an obstruction, the second lanyard leg should be secured to a suitable anchor point, and only then should the first leg be disconnected. This avoids any moment when the person is unprotected.
Anchor points must be structural, correctly rated, and positioned to provide sufficient clear space below for the lanyard and energy absorber to deploy fully. The lanyard stem, including the energy absorber, must be connected to the approved fall-arrest point on the harness, normally the dorsal D-ring. Lanyard legs should not be clipped back onto the harness or belt except at approved parking points, as this can prevent proper operation of the energy absorber and significantly increase the risk of injury.
All fall-arrest equipment should be checked before use and protected from damage caused by sharp edges and the harsh marine environment. Only trained and medically fit personnel should use the equipment, and a clear rescue plan must be in place before starting.
Finally, it is worth reflecting on the contrast between the strong safety culture expected at sea and the practices sometimes introduced on board by contractors. The vessel’s expectations must be clearly set out during pre-work planning meetings, reinforced through supervision, and applied consistently. Continuous protection, open reporting, and the confidence to stop work are essential to preventing falls from height. This challenge is often compounded when dealing with contractors, as some crew members may feel uncomfortable challenging individuals perceived as external experts or commercially influential, particularly when the crew lack confidence in confrontational situations.
Key Issues relating to this report
Alerting – When a crew member alerts you to a safety issue, it must be treated seriously, and the work must be stopped until the alert has been addressed. In this case, the contractors should have listened to the concerns raised and been shown the correct method of using the fall arrestors.
Local Practice – The vessel’s management has a legal duty of care to any contractor employed to work on a vessel, and adherence to the company’s safety management system is compulsory. If the contractors’ fall arrestor practice can be shown to be at least as safe as, or better than, the vessel’s SMS, it can be considered acceptable.
Communications – Before any work commences, a work planning meeting must be held to explain the vessel’s safety management practices and to listen to the contractors’ operating methods.
Complacency – The contractors were overconfident and dismissive of the risks associated with working aloft using fall arrestors
Key Takeaways
Regulators – Compliance isn’t optional—every connection counts. Fall arrest systems are only effective when used according to design; deviations put workers at serious risk.
Managers – Listen first—prevention beats investigation. Ignoring safety concerns and ‘we’ve always done it this way’ attitudes erode trust and endanger crews.
Seafarers/ Crew – Check it twice—your life depends upon it. Misusing fall protection can turn a harness into a hazard rather than a safeguard. Always verify anchoring points.