Industry: Oil & Gas · Country: Qatar · Date: 18 Feb 2026 · Incident type: near miss
During a routine lift of a replacement pump skid (estimated 4.2 tonnes), the main load line on a 50-tonne crawler crane began to show visible signs of failure as the load was raised to 3 metres. The lift was immediately aborted and the load lowered. Post-incident inspection revealed the load line had exceeded its rated service life and had not been replaced as per the maintenance schedule. The load weight had also not been independently verified before the lift.
During a routine lift of a replacement pump skid (estimated 4.2 tonnes), the main load line on a 50-tonne crawler crane began to show visible signs of failure as the load was raised to 3 metres. The lift was immediately aborted and the load lowered. Post-incident inspection revealed the load line had exceeded its rated service life and had not been replaced as per the maintenance schedule. The load weight had also not been independently verified before the lift.
Load line used beyond its rated service life. Overloading due to unverified load weight (actual weight was 5.8 tonnes, exceeding the rigging plan calculations).
Crane maintenance records not properly maintained. Load weight verification step omitted from lift plan due to time pressure. Lifting supervisor not on-site at the time of lift commencement.
Injury type: None – Near Miss
1. All crane wire ropes to be inspected monthly and replaced per manufacturer schedule – tracked in digital maintenance system. 2. Independent load weight verification mandatory for all critical lifts. 3. Lifting supervisor must be physically present before any lift commences. 4. Lifting operations suspended across all sites pending audit of lifting equipment certification.