The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued an urgent safety notice over the risk of fatal offshore gangway accidents.
The regulator said serious risks exist where motion-compensated gangways retract without warning due to power failures or control system errors, leaving workers vulnerable to falls, crush injuries, or even death.
Operators in the oil, gas and renewable energy sectors have been told to review gangway arrangements immediately. Any systems unable to provide sufficient advance warning before automatic retraction must be taken out of service until proper safety controls are in place.
Howard Harte, Operations Manager for Offshore Regulation at the HSE, said incidents continue to occur despite earlier safety alerts and industry guidance. “Workers have been left unable to move to safety or brace for sudden movement when systems fail,” he warned.
The notice requires dutyholders to conduct full technical risk assessments and ensure that auto-retraction functions only activate once personnel are confirmed safe. Audible or visual alarms triggered at the same moment as retraction were deemed inadequate, with the HSE insisting on warnings that give workers time to reach safety.
Gangway operators may only override auto-retractions if backed by a rigorous risk assessment. The HSE is urging companies to review gangway designs and control systems to prevent further dangerous incidents.
