IMCA Publishes Updated Version of HSE'S Invaluable PM20 Cable Laid Slings and Grommets.

The UK Health & Safety Executive's (HSE) Guidance Note PM20 (Plant & Machinery Series 20) Cable Laid Slings and Grommets has long been viewed as essential reading by all involved with heavy lift operations. HSE is no longer issuing this type of guidance, but has advised that it would not be adverse to a continuation of operational practices that followed the guidelines formerly available in PM20. With HSE approval, IMCA - the International Marine Contractors Association - has therefore produced an updated version of PM20 to provide guidance on good practice in the use of cable-laid slings and grommets. "I am delighted that our 'Guidance on the Use of Cable Laid Slings and Grommets' (IMCA M 179) follows in the footsteps of PM20," says Hugh Williams, IMCA's Chief Executive. "I was a member of the group gathered together to work on PM20 way back in 1987 and can clearly see its value and the need for continuing use of guidance notes. "The HSE original has been fully reviewed by an IMCA workgroup and by classification societies and updated as required to reflect current industry best practice. Like its predecessor it is intended to be of assistance to those concerned with the use of cable laid slings and grommets in very heavy lifting operations. Such operations often use cable laid slings and grommets of 100mm diameter and over, as developed for use in the offshore oil and gas industry. These are generally too large for existing test equipment to be used to test the rope sample to destruction, the biggest being around 500mm in diameter with about 7000Tonnes breaking load. This guidance note, therefore, gives advice on their construction, rating, testing, certification, examination and use. "It is worth noting that there is a European standard for grommets and slings (EN 13414-3:2003) that states that it "covers ferrule-secured cable-laid slings up to 60mm" (diameter), although it includes some information about larger sizes, it does not apply to most IMCA members because, as stated in Annex ZA to that European Standard, those excluded include: "(8) - means of transport i.e. vehicles and their trailers intended solely for transporting passengers by air or on road, rail or water networks, as well as means of transport in so far as such means are designed for transporting goods by air on public road or rail networks or on water [vehicles used in the mineral extraction industry will not be excluded.]. (9) - seagoing vessels and mobile offshore units together with equipment on board such vessels or units." The detailed passages of the document deal with key rope design and usage parameters such as wire rope make up, testing, calculation of break load, splices and termination efficiency and working load limit as well as giving guidance on inspecting, marking, matching, using and bending slings. Copies of IMCA M 179 are available at [pounds sterling]15 each ([pounds sterling]18 including delivery outside Europe) for IMCA members (who can also download the publication from the IMCA members-only section of the website free of charge); and [pounds sterling]30 for non-members via the website; or from IMCA, 5 Lower Belgrave Street, London SW1W 0NR, UK; Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone].

IMCA is an international association with its 290+ members in more than 35 countries representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies. IMCA has four technical divisions, covering marine/specialist vessel operations, offshore diving, hydrographic survey and remote systems and ROVs, plus geographic sections for the Americas Deepwater, Asia-Pacific, Europe & Africa and the Middle East & India regions, as well as a core focus on safety, the environment, competence and training. IMCA seeks to promote its members' common interests, to resolve industry-wide issues and to provide an authoritative voice for its members. IMCA publishes over 170 guidance documents and technical reports. These have been developed over the years and are widely distributed. They are a definition of what IMCA stands for, including widely recognised diving and ROV codes of practice, DP documentation, marine good practice guidance, the 'Common Marine Inspection Document', safety recommendations, outline training syllabi and the IMCA competence scheme guidance. In addition to the range of printed guidance documents, IMCA also produces safety promotional materials, circulates information notes and safety flashes. Please Note: The views expressed by our contributors are not necessarily those of CJ Connect, Contract Journal or Mondaq Ltd.

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