Dropped object: Injury resulting from failure caused by corrosion

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 25 January 2012
  • Generated on 15 October 2026
  • IMCA SF 01/12
  • 1 minute read

The United States (US) Department of the Interior Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (US BSEE) has published a safety flash regarding a dropped object injury resulting from the corrosion-based failure of the eline (electric line) used in well abandonment operations.

What happened?

A crewman who was guiding equipment into a well-bore, was struck on the foot and injured by a falling object. It was found after the incident that the eline was corroded and brittle with some strands broken.

Members can find further information here.

Latest Safety Flashes:

Hydraulic oil leak detected below moonpool

A hydraulic oil leak was identified below the moonpool after the worktable doors were opened.

Read more
Dropped scaffold board (kickplate) – SIF near miss

A scaffolding kickboard was accidentally dropped falling from a height of 6.5 metres to the main deck.

Read more
H₂S detected on deck

During vessel transit back to port, Hydrogen Sulphide (H₂S) was detected in the open space on the main deck.

Read more
Restoration and verification after maintenance

A missing flooring panel was identified beneath a 415V bow thruster electrical motor cabinet.

Read more
Vessel contact during materiel transfer in adverse weather

One vessel lost heading and position control because of the strong winds and swell, pushing it toward another.

Read more

IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.

The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.

All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.

IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is 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.

Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.