The International Cargo Handling Co-ordination Association (ICHCA) has issued a safety alert about falling twist locks during operations, reminding those working them that they have the potential to kill or severely injure people.

“Under typical design conditions, container twistlocks will remain in their corner pockets for the transfer of the container to the quay or stow,” ICHCA states. “However, twistlocks that have become damaged, worn or have not been correctly maintained may fall from corner pockets during lifting operations.

“Furthermore, correctly functioning twistlocks may still fall out if the corner pockets on the container itself have become sufficiently damaged or deformed.

“The prime rule that people should never be under a suspended/moving load may not, on its own, provide sufficient protection as falling twistlocks may ricochet off a surface during the fall and travel a considerable horizontal distance.”

ICHCA refers to a 2023 incident in which a team leader at a terminal was struck by a falling twistlock. The twistlock had become dislodged because the twistlock locator pin failed while loading into a blind cell on deck.

Luckily the man was wearing head protection which likely saved his life.