20
October
2025

Operational Alert: GANGWAY SAFETY – QUICK RELEASE PINS

Operational Alert’s, inform Signal Mutual Members of serious incidents or a significant near-miss within the Mutual. If you have similar operations, please share this Operational Alert with operation managers, supervisors, equipment operators, and all affected employees. It is imperative that management, at all levels review their operations for similar hazardous conditions, acts, and their controls.

In recent weeks, multiple terminals have reported near-miss events involving vessel gangways (accommodation ladders) where hand railings collapsed. In each case, the cause was traced back to failed quick-release pins. While no injuries occurred, the potential consequences could have been catastrophic. A fall from a gangway can expose the workforce, vessel crew, visitors, contractors, vendors and management to serious injuries, long-term disabilities, or even fatalities. These incidents are a clear reminder that what may seem like a small piece of hardware are essential in preventing a major accident. The recurrence of these events across different terminals highlights that this is not an isolated issue and requires immediate attention and awareness to those that need to access the ship.

  1. Operational Alert: Gangway Safety – Quick Release Pins