Two serious dropped object near miss

Two further dropped object cases have been reported recently, highlighting the extreme danger and potential for fatalities.

Incident 1

A light and fitting on a third-party ship, weighing 8kg, fell 20 metres to the deck narrowly missing one of the crew members. The light was fitted to a post which had previously been identified as heavily corroded.

Findings: the corroded item had previously been identified by the ship owners, but no corrective action was taken to secure the light and remedy the situation. Subsequent inspection by our member identified other items at risk of falling.

Incident 2

A 2.8kg steel pin fell 16 metres to the deck. The area immediately below the drop area had barriers set, however if the pin had hit the structure and was deflected it could have endangered the deck crew.

Findings: the task was not planned, or risk assessed correctly:

• The removed pin was placed on the tower structure instead of in a scaffold clamp type basket;
• The rigger was unfamiliar with the task and was not made aware of the required rules when working at height;
• Tools in use by the work team did not have the required lanyards and could have also fallen to the deck.

What lessons were learned?

Our member recommended:

• Outstanding defects that pose a risk of dropped objects should be categorised as dangerous and either removed or rectified;
• Worksite management should ensure that only the correct secured tools are used when working at height;
• Tools used at height should be fitted with the appropriate securing devices to prevent them falling;
• Ensure that all work at height is subject to a specific risk assessment which addresses the potential for dropped tools and work equipment, and identifies the controls to prevent this happening;
• Barriers under towers should be set at a sufficient distance considering the possibility of items deflecting off any structures;
• Prior to third-party vessels being taken on hire, evidence should be produced by the owner to prove that there has been a DROPS survey conducted, and a regime is in place to inspect, maintain and correct any defects affecting the security of equipment at height.

DROPS is a key safety focus. For more information on DROPS visit http://www.dropsonline.org/resources-and-guidance/poster-selection/, for industry guidance, posters, presentations and good practice hints and tips.

Members may wish to refer to the following:

• Working at height
• Avoiding dropped objects
• Technip DROPS
• Saipem DROPS – choice not chance
• Near-miss dropped object: Protector plate drops from crane [2015]
• High potential dropped object incident [2014]
• Near-miss: Dropped object [2012]