IMCA Newsroom

Press Release

IMCA MEMBERS URGED TO SUPPORT SAFETY FLASH SYSTEM

The rapid distribution of safety flashes across the industry about incidents that pose a latent hazard to other members is a key tool in IMCA's - the International Marine Contractors Association - effort to raise safety standards and provide the best possible working environment for member companies and their employees.

"I urge all member companies to encourage active and prompt reporting of incidents within their organisation so that IMCA can disseminate safety flashes promptly across its global membership," says John Smith of Halliburton Subsea, IMCA's new President and Chairman.

It is argued that severe injury in a recent unfortunate accident involving a compressor might well have been avoided had this tool worked effectively. On investigation it was found that relevant information on previous similar incidents had not been sent to IMCA so the system had not worked effectively.

Reports can be made in any format (from an internal accident/incident report to separate notification) and are welcomed from member and non-member companies alike. IMCA always ‘sanitises' information supplied to eliminate company name, location, date, etc and a draft is always sent for checking. Once approved IMCA issues the safety flash immediately to its lists of contacts for each division (Safety Environment & Legislation; Training, Certification & Personnel Competence; Diving; Offshore Survey; Marine; Remote Systems & ROV) and its Asia-Pacific and Middle East & India Sections by e-mail and/or hard copy, depending on noted preferences. During the past twelve months 11 safety flashes covering 44 incidents, have been issued by the Association.

Incident details should be sent to Jane Bugler, IMCA, Carlyle House, 235 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 1EJ. Tel: +44 20 7931 8171; Fax: +44 20 7931 8935

Notes to Editors (common)

• IMCA is an international association with over 450 members in more than 50 countries, representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies. IMCA has four technical divisions, covering marine/specialist vessel operations, offshore diving, hydrographic survey and remote systems and ROVs, plus geographic sections for the Americas Deepwater, Asia-Pacific, Europe & Africa and Middle East & India regions, as well as a core focus on safety, the environment, competence and training. IMCA seeks to promote its members' common interests, to resolve industry-wide issues and to provide an authoritative voice for its members.
• IMCA publishes some 200 guidance notes and technical reports. These have been developed over the years and are widely distributed. They are a definition of what IMCA stands for, including widely recognised diving and ROV codes of practice, DP documentation, marine good practice guidance, the Common Marine Inspection Document, safety recommendation, outline training syllabi and the IMCA competence scheme guidance. In addition to the range of printed guidance documents, IMCA also produces safety promotional materials, circulates information notes and safety flashes.
• Judith Patten is here to help you if you want any additional information on IMCA; would like to discuss a feature article; want to organise interviews with key members of the IMCA team, etc.