Near-miss: Dropped object from crane

A member has reported a near miss incident in which there was a dropped object from a crane. A protection bar from the small hook on the main crane came loose and fell from approximately 70m down to deck, leaving a small dent in the deck.

This incident serves as a timely reminder. Members are encouraged to:

Continue the reporting of both ‘unsafe conditions’ and ‘positive observations’ regarding dropped objects in order to share our experiences across vessels, sites and locations;
Continue with “dropped object searches” focusing on potential dropped objects. In particular, check cranes, masts etc. on board for loose items;
Renew emphasis on the inclusion of dropped objects during work planning, toolbox talks, before and after work inspections.

Related Resources

There are many dropped object incidents worthy of review. This is the 27th dropped object incident published by IMCA in the last two years – over 9% of safety incidents reported by IMCA in the last two years have been dropped object incidents. Members may wish to review some of the following incidents:

Reference	Items (click to view)	Published
IMCA SF 29/16	Dropped object awareness	Oct 2016
IMCA SF 23/16	Dropped pallet during loading of stores High potential near-miss: Dropped object Dropped object fell from crane – Poor communication/lack of awareness/control of work Dropped object – Failure of split head elbow on bolts Working at height – Use of wooden handled hammers	Sep 2016
IMCA SF 22/16	Potential dropped object during cargo offloading operations	Sep 2016
IMCA SF 16/16	Dropped object: Signage dropped from crane boom	Jun 2016
IMCA SF 14/16	Serious incident: Pad eye fell from crane boom and struck rigger Potential dropped object: Inbound cargo Dropped object: Tank dog	May 2016
IMCA SF 08/16	Dropped object fell 12m and hit worker	Apr 2016
IMCA SF 02/16	High potential near-miss: Dropped object	Jan 2016
IMCA SF 21/15	High potential near-miss: SWL plate fell from crane auxiliary block Dropped object near-miss: small parts falling from crane rest	Dec 2015
IMCA SF 15/15	Dropped objects fatalities: Workers struck by fallen loads during lifting operations	Oct 2015
IMCA SF 14/15	Dropped object near-miss: Lifting Dropped object near-miss: ROV wire rope	Oct 2015
IMCA SF 11/15	Near-miss dropped object: Protector plate drops from crane	Aug 2015
IMCA SF 10/15	Near-miss: Dropped object fell from crane boom Dropped object near-miss: Antenna parts worked loose and fell to deck	Jul 2015
IMCA SF 06/15	Objects dropped from pipelay tower	May 2015
IMCA SF 02/15	Dropped object near-miss: Falling crane block Dropped object near-misses Dropped object: Failure of lump hammer	Feb 2015
IMCA SF 01/15	High potential dropped object	Jan 2015

Safety Event

Published: 6 December 2016
Download: IMCA SF 33/16

IMCA Safety Flashes

Submit a Report

IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of all. The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on Members sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Please consider adding [email protected] to your internal distribution list for safety alerts or manually submitting information on incidents you consider may be relevant. All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate.

IMCA’s store terms and conditions (https://www.imca-int.com/legal-notices/terms/) apply to all downloads from IMCA’s website, including this document.

IMCA makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in the documents it publishes, but IMCA shall not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained. The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual’s or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.