According to the Marine Safety Forum, the issue of dropped objects and potential dropped objects has been a persistent problem within the Oil & Gas industry, 2016 has so far seen a rise in frequency of these reports.
During the whole of 2015 19 dropped or potential dropped objects were reported to the company, a marked improvement on recent years. However, by 1st September 2016 a total of 18 reports received despite the fact that exposure to these is less than 50% of 2015 due to fleet reductions. This potentially increasing trend can be seen in the graph below with extrapolated results for September to year end.
So far this year there have been four safety alerts issued through the MSF on the subject of ‘Dropped Objects’: Two of these safety alerts related to items sent from vessels to the rig, one being a post hole cover the other a hook used for supporting the tugger wire during securing of cargo.
This 50/50 split in safety alerts issued, whilst a useful reminder that Vessel crews actions can impose risk on cargo operations and that MSF should remain alert at all times, is not a fair reflection on where the principle hazard occurs.
Data from the vessel owner’s records show that 76% of potential and actual dropped objects over the course of 2015 and 2016 have come from back-load cargo, 13% originate from on-shore and 11% are items dropped on the vessels themselves. These statistics have remained broadly unchanged year on year through the entire company records.
Of the objects falling from or found on back-load cargo several are clearly potential fatalities. The causes of dropped and potential dropped objects commonly received are;
• The source and cause of the dropped object remained unidentified
• Lift was checked prior to backload but the item or items were missed
• Items became detached as a result of damage due to contact other cargo or the vessel.
Actions Taken Source & Image credits: Marine Safety Forum
From a vessel side, continued observance of the high standard of good seamanship demonstrated throughout the fleet in remaining well clear of lifts in a safe area until the cargo is landed on the deck and it is clear to approach. All dropped or potential dropped object must be reported to the installation/rig as soon as identified and also to the vessel owner and client at the first opportunity.
