We still use our electric primary winch to get up the mast, we're careful about it. Some riggers just won't do it because of their concern.

There was a terrible accident that was reported. This is from a Lewmar advisory which was the result

On 5 March 2011, an accident occured aboard a 2006 Amel 54 in Jolly Harbour Marina, Antigua while carrying out the lifting operation of a crew member using a self-tailing winch. Currently, an investigation is underway.

Safety is of paramount importance to Lewmar and, in advance of the outcome of the investigation and as part of our ongoing commitment to operational safety, we would like to remind owners of Lewmar manual and electrically-operated winches of the following key points from the Lewmar Electric 40-77 & Hydraulic 46-111 Winches Manual, Sections 2.1 and 6.1:

--Under no circumstances should any self tailing winch be used in self tailing mode for any lifting operation; rather suitable and adequate manual tailing should be arranged with proper means of manually cleating or stopping the hoist.

--Isolate the winch using circuit breaker/isolator when not in use.

--Only persons who are completely familiar with the controls and those who have been fully made aware of the correct use of the winch should be allowed to use it.

--It is the unavoidable responsibility of the owner or master or other responsible party to assess the risk of any operation on the vessel.