Recommended Practice for

Crane Suspended Offshore Personnel Transfers

Purpose
This recommended practice is intended to assist all A systematic manage-
offshore employers in the development of safe work ment process used to
practices relative to the task of transferring personnel identify and control safety
to-and-from offshore facilities utilizing a Billy Pugh Co. and environmental haz-
personnel transfer net. This recommended practice ards in design, construc-
addresses the minimum requirements promulgated tion, start-up, operation,
by both regulation and industry “best practices”. Each inspection, and mainte-
offshore employer is encouraged to follow these recom- nance as promulgated
mendations, and to proactively modify or supplement in API RP-75. Billy Pugh
them with additional beneficial practices or procedures, Personnel transfer net A
which may be more appropriate for the employer’s personnel transport device composed of a solid cylindri-
equipment, or environmental conditions. cal platform, flexible 2 sidewall rigging, upper aluminum
ring, and lifting loadline system designed for the aerial
Scope transport of personnel by an offshore crane.

This recommended practice is intended for application Rigging

by offshore employers working in a marine offshore en-
• The loadlines, master links, safety slings, and
vironment who transfer, move, or transport their work- hardware that attach the personnel carrier to
force by Billy Pugh personnel carrier. The elements of the crane hook or block device.
this recommended practice should be applied as appro-
priate with due consideration made for any additional Qualified Person
special hazards identified by the employer as a result of • A person designated by the employer who has
a thorough Job Hazard Analysis (JHA). the experience and formalized training to safe-
ly operate the crane, rigging, and associated
lifting devices assigned at the work location.
Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the offshore employer to en-
Qualified Inspector
sure this recommended practice is applied appropriately • A person so designated by the employer who
within their organizations. Management of offshore by reason of appropriate experience and train-
ing, in addition to meeting the requirements of
personnel transfer safety should be an integral compo- a qualified person, has attended formal train-
nent of the employers existing Safety and Environmental ing in inspection, maintenance, and trouble-
Management Plan. (SEMP) shooting of cranes, rigging, and lifting devices.

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Excellence in offshore personnel safety
Case for Action In addition to the above training elements, the quali- minimum components:
fied person should ascertain whether any persons are
• Visually inspect safety load line when attaching
Analysis of available accident/injury data reveals that feeling ill, suffering from vertigo, or have any anxiety to crane. Inspect crane hook positive locking
offshore personnel transfers are not involved in high regarding the transfer. These individuals should be dis- device for function and physical condition.
rates of accidents relative to the number of transfers couraged from using this form of personnel transfer.
• Check sidewall rigging, top & bottom platforms,
carried out worldwide. But due to the sheer number of and cushion ring for wear or damage.
personnel basket transfers, the potential does exist for ELEMENT 2: Personnel Carrier Rigging
incidents to occur. Safe and consistent methods need Configuration (See Figure 1.0) • Ensure snag resistant tag line is properly af-
fixed.
to be incorporated into the procedures of those utilizing
The following rigging configurations are recommended
“crane assisted” transfer devices. A safety system, which The following quarterly inspection procedures are rec-
for all crane assisted personnel carrier devices:
addresses the specific areas of effective management ommended for all offshore personnel carriers.
relative to offshore personnel transfers, will be required • Double Safety Loadline
All personnel carriers can be equipped with a • Inspect top and bottom lifting ring for excessive
so that industry can sustain and maximize overall safety wear, cracks, or corrosion following manufac-
performance while showing a process of continuous double safety loadline assembly composed of turer’s recommendation and relevant API spec.
improvement. a main support line constructed of a galvanized
steel wire rope sling, it has a minimum break- • Visually inspect safety load line when attaching
to crane. Inspect crane hook positive locking
Safety System Elements ing strength of 34,000 Ibs. (15422 kgs) and a device for function and physical condition.
secondary shock absorbing safety line rated
The following are considered to be key elements of an the length. A normal length for these units is • Check sidewall rigging line splices (top &
at a minimum breaking strength of 27,700 Ibs.
15 ft. This recommendation is consistent with bottom) for wear, UV degradation (blistering,
effective safety system for management of crane sus- The designation for a double safety load line on discoloration, or cracking), and unraveling. All
pended offshore personnel transfers. a Billy Pugh Co. personnel net is “DC”. Example: API-RP 2D (Annex C). Our tag lines (PTL and STL synthetic rope splices should have a 3 tuck
X-871 D/C product codes) both conform to this API specifi- minimum.
ELEMENT 1: Minimum Training Require- cation and work well with all slung loads as well
*Billy Pugh personnel nets also have a back- • Visually inspect stabilizer and safety load line
ments as personnel transfer devices.
up fiber rope safety line contained within the unit for visual damage including external pro-
stabilizer unit. tective cover. Damage of external cover may
An on-site competency based orientation & JSA on the • Safety Sling or Lanyard require additional internal examination by a
safe use of personnel carrier devices should be adminis- A safety sling or lanyard designed to provide qualified inspector.
• Snag Resistant Tag Line
tered by a qualified person before employees or visitors emergency fall containment, should be affixed
We recommend that the BPC semi-rigid, snag • Inspect bottom platform ring for deterioration,
unfamiliar with the device are loaded or lifted. At a between the crane hoisting line and the carrier
resistant tag line should be affixed to all of our cracks, or angular distortion.
minimum the following elements should be included upper master link. This will add a measure of
personnel transfer devices. Tag lines should
in this orientation curriculum: safety in the event the personnel net upper • Check cover on bottom platform ring for tears
have a minimum length of 10 ‘(3.05m). Tag line or cuts. Damage of bottom platform cover may
should be attached to either the center deck lifting ring becomes detached from the crane require additional examination by a qualified
• Safe loading & unloading procedures.
lashing pint, or the outside bottom platform hook. The safety lanyard should be composed inspector.
• Crane actions, movements, and signals. of a galvanized steel wire rope sling, with a
ring in such a manner that minimizes tag line • Check top and bottom flotation batts for dete-
• Body positions, pinch points, and personal damage when carrier is resting on a surface minimum breaking strength of 34,000 lbs. rioration or damaged closed cell foam. Damage
stability. and attach with a minimum 5/8” {190 mm) (15422 kgs). of flotation may require additional examination
by a qualified inspector.
• Personnel baggage loading procedures. bolt type anchor shackle. Personnel transfer
ELEMENT 3: Inspection Procedures
device tag lines should be identified by a high • Visually inspect bottom and top pneumatic
• Personnel protective equipment requirements. cushion hoses (if so equipped) for deterioration
visibility color. These tag lines can be obtained All inspections should be performed by a qualified
or damage.
• Exceptions or anomalies to any of the above. by specifying “Billy Pugh Tag Line” followed by person and should always incorporate an operator’s
pre-use inspection which should include the following • Inspect for modifications or non-OEM sup-

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 plied components. Non OEM components or • Only approved personnel carriers should be should stand on the outer rim, evenly spaced,
modifications should be removed. used for lifting personnel per and adjacent to a sidewall opening in the net-
ting, facing inward. Passenger forearms should
• As a general rule, we recommend that all Billy • API RP spec. Personnel carriers should not be be interlocked on inside of sidewall netting and
Pugh Co. personnel nets be replaced annually used as a workbasket or cargo net. knees should stay bent throughout the transfer
when used on a daily basis (such as a jack- including (and especially on) landing.
up drilling rig). On production platforms and • Personnel carriers should be legibly marked
other applications where the personnel net is with the maximum number of Passengers. • If crane operator’s view of the primary signal-
used less frequently, we recommend that it be man is obstructed, the personnel carrier should
changed out every other year. This is a guide- • We do not recommend that luggage be trans- not be moved until alternative communication
line only and will vary depending on how the ferred in the center of the personnel net. This or signal devices are placed in service.
net is cared for and stored. practice can cause the debarkation process to
be slowed and the rider be delayed in getting • A designated primary landing zone should be
ELEMENT 4: Operational/Administrative to a safe area. Another issue is the potential for marked in a safe area as determined by a
back injury due to the awkwardness of leaning Job Hazard Analysis (JHA).
Practices over to get bags. These reasons become espe-
cially true in rougher seas. • When transferring personnel, the per-
The following minimum lifting practices are recommend- sonnel carrier should be lifted only high
ed for all crane assisted personnel transfer net devices: • Personnel carriers should not be utilized in enough to clear obstructions. It should
weather, wind, or sea conditions that the quali- then be gently lowered to the deck.
• Any offshore facility making personnel trans- fied person considers to be unsafe.
fers with a personnel carrier should have a • A loaded personnel carrier should not
written procedure for this task. • Before any attempt is made to lift personnel be raised or lowered directly over a
with a carrier, clear instructions should be giv- vessel.
• A pre-use inspection should be conducted prior en to all persons involved.
to any personnel carrier transfer. • The crane operator may refuse to lift
• No person suffering from acute seasickness any person who does not comply
• Cranes assigned to personnel lifting duties or vertigo shall be transported by personnel with the operator’s instructions.
should be suitable for this purpose per relevant carrier.
API spec. • An experienced escort should be
• Any individual has the right to refuse transfer provided for persons who are not
• Crane operators assigned to personnel lifting by a personnel basket. confident performing a person-
duties should be certified and competent to nel carrier transfer.
perform this task per 46 CFR 109.527. • All personnel riding on a personnel carrier
should wear an approved life vest or life pre- • Injured, ill, or unconfident
• A snag resistant tag line should be affixed to all server. An approved Type I illuminated PFD persons may ride in a sitting
personnel carriers. should be required for all transfers conducted position, on the inside of the
at night. personnel carrier, with a qual-
• Crane hooks used for personnel transfers must ified person as an escort.
have a positive locking latch. • All personnel riding on a personnel carrier

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 MODEL-800

MODEL-800
7" 7/8" X 5½" CROSBY RING / WORKING LOAD LIMIT: 5,600 LBS. X-871
A 22'
B 2'6"
SAFETY SHACKLE ½" GALV. C 9'
D 34'5"
5/8" DIA. GALV. CABLE / TYPE 115-HT-HT / SWL 2.8 TON @ 90 DEGREES
E 60"
6 X 37 - EIP IWRC RR F 72"
A
G 11'
STABILIZER EXTENDED WITH SAFETY LOAD LINE
X-871-6
A 22'
B 3'
C 9'
SAFETY SHACKLE ½" GALV.
D 35'2"
E 84"
6" 7/8" X 4" CROSBY RING / WORKING LOAD LIMIT: 7,200 LBS. F 96"
G 11'

D B
1½' X 26 O.D. ALUM. RING / TYPE 6063T6

4" 4" FOAM PADDING WITH 10OZ. YELLOW VINYL COVER

¾" DIA. PREMIUM POLYPROPYLENE BLEND ROPE: 9,950LBS. MINIMUM STRENGTH

C
18OZ. ORANGE VINYL DECK “COVER”

6" FOAM PADDING WITH 18OZ. ORANGE VINYL COVER MODEL-800 SERIES SPECIFICATIONS

MODEL-800 SERIES DIMENSIONS

7" 7/8" X 5½" CROSBY RING / WORKING LOAD LIMIT: 5,600 LBS. X-871 X-870 X-816 X-840
A 22' 18' 12' 18'
¾" DIA. ULTRABLU DECK NETTING B 2'6" 2'6" 2'6" 2'6"
SAFETY SHACKLE ½" GALV. C 9' 9' 9' 9'
D 34'5" 30'5" 24' 30'5"
5/8" DIA. GALV. CABLE / TYPE 115-HT-HT1½"/C/S
SWLPIPE
2.8 TON
- SCH@- 90
40 DEGREES
BOTTOM RING E 60" 60" 60" 48"
6 X 37 - EIPPAINTED
IWRC RRWITH PROTAKTO PIPE COATING F 72" 72" 72" 60"
A 4" X 3½" RUBBER FEET
E G 11' 9' 8' 9'
STABILIZER EXTENDED WITH SAFETY LOAD LINE
F X-871-6 X-871-8
A 22' 22'
MAY 2014 MODEL-800 SERIES SPECIFICATIONS BILLY PUGH CO., INC. P.O. BOX
B 802 CORPUS
3' CHRISTI
3' TX 78406 WWW.BILLYP
C 9' 9'
Figure 1.0 SHACKLE ½" GALV.
SAFETY
D 35'2" 35'2"
E 84" 94"
6" 7/8" X 4" CROSBY RING / WORKING LOAD LIMIT: 7,200 LBS. F 96" 106"
G 11' 11'

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1½' X 26 O.D. ALUM. RING / TYPE 6063T6

Excellence
4" FOAM PADDING in offshore
WITH 10OZ. YELLOW personnel
VINYL COVER safety

¾" DIA. PREMIUM POLYPROPYLENE BLEND ROPE: 9,950LBS. MINIMUM STRENGTH