Is your Tether a DEATH TRAP? Sailor's Debrief 111

Preventing Tether Hook Failure Understanding the Risk The safety harness tether is a vital piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to safeguard individuals working at height or in hazardous environments. However, even the most robust tether can be compromised if not used correctly or maintained properly. One critical factor that can significantly reduce the strength of a tether is lateral loading on the tether hook. Lateral loading occurs when the force applied to the hook is not directly in line with the tether's axis. This can happen when the hook becomes entangled with deck fittings, equipment, or other obstructions. When subjected to lateral forces, the hook can deform or even fail, leading to a catastrophic loss of the tether's integrity and potentially putting the wearer at risk of serious injury or death. The Importance of Proper Anchoring To prevent the strength of a safety harness tether from becoming compromised due to lateral loading, the method used to anchor the end of the tether to the vessel must be carefully considered. The primary objective is to ensure that the tether hook cannot become entangled with any deck fittings or other equipment. * Avoid Obstructions: * Clear the Path: Route the tether and hook away from any potential obstructions, such as cleats, winches, or other equipment that could cause entanglement. * Use Protective Covers: If obstructions cannot be avoided, consider using protective covers or sleeves to minimize the risk of the hook snagging. * Regular Inspection and Maintenance: * Inspect the Tether and Hook: Regularly check the tether for signs of wear, damage, or deterioration. Pay close attention to the hook for any signs of deformation or bending. * Replace Damaged Equipment: If any damage is found, replace the affected component immediately. Do not attempt to repair damaged equipment. * Proper Tether Attachment: * Secure the Hook: Ensure that the hook is securely clipped to the anchor point, with no slack in the tether. * Avoid Twisting: Prevent twisting of the tether, as this can weaken the fibers and reduce the overall strength. Additional Safety Tips: * Training and Education: All personnel who use safety harnesses should receive proper training on their correct use, inspection, and maintenance. * Emergency Procedures: Develop and implement emergency procedures for rescuing individuals who may become incapacitated while using a safety harness. * Regular Safety Audits: Conduct regular safety audits to identify potential hazards and ensure compliance with safety regulations. By following these guidelines and prioritizing safety, you can significantly reduce the risk of tether hook failure and protect yourself and your crew from potential harm. Remember, a strong and reliable safety harness tether is an essential component of a comprehensive safety program. Good guys.   ?  Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Thanks to US Sailing https://www.ussailing.org Cruising Club of America https://sas.cruisingclub.org/ World Sailing Https://sailing.org/ Australians Sailing https://www.sailing.org.au #boat #boating #boatlife #offshorecitizen #offshoresailing #sailing #safetyatsea #offshoreracing #ocean #sailboat #oceanrace #rescueswimmer #vaikobisail #radixnutrition #barkarate #sailingpodcast #barkarateconversations #worldsailingofficial #sailing #boat #ocean #sport #voile #sail #sea #offshore #sailors #sailingworld #extremesailing #foils #yacht #yachts #saillife #instayacht #sailingblog #instasail #spinlock #worldsailing #megayacht #Americascup #sydneyhobartrace #RORCSydneyhobart #austrailiansailing #vendée #vendeeglobe 0:00 intro 00:45 British Marine Accident Investigation Branch 1:10 Flat Plate Snap hook Kills Sailor 2:00 Sailor dragged off of boat - drowned 2:30 Warning on Sailing Safety Tether 3:15 Urgent Marine Safety Advisory Released 3:30 Snap hook Sailing tether testing 4:00 Side Wall Sailing Tether 4:43 Safety Device sail training 5:25 Tether fails 6:00 ISO 12401 Small Boat safety tether 6:45 Sail Safety Tether Training 7:00 Safety tethers are designed to keep you on the deck 7:20 double tether - double controls 8:00 Two is one - one is none 8:30 safety Risk control redundancy 8:45 Jacklines run clear and free 9:00 Static Tether at the mast 9:30 Australia Sailing 10:00 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race 10:15 Australia Sailing Banned Flat Plate Snap Hooks 10:42 Sailing safety Peace of Mind