HSE safety notice issued: motion compensated gangways auto-retraction

Power failure or control system error can cause the unplanned retraction of motion compensated gangways (MCGs) typically used in the offshore industry.

These incidents pose a serious risk to operators and users.

There continues to be incidents where failure or error of an MCG power or control system has resulted in the gangway retracting without warning to the operator or persons crossing the gangway.

Unplanned retraction, also known as auto-retraction, poses a significant, foreseeable risk to personnel on the gangway. Lack of warning that it is about to retract can lead to people:

• falling onto the gangway
• being struck by moving parts
• falling from height resulting in serious injury or death (in the most serious cases)

Operators, duty holders and vessel owners or operators should ensure that any gangway auto-retraction function provides suitable audible and visible warnings which allow users sufficient time to make themselves safe before the auto-retraction function activates.

For full information, view our safety notice: Motion compensated gangways auto-retraction.