Near miss: Potential dropped object due to unsecured door.

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 23 January 2018
  • Generated on 13 December 2025
  • IMCA SF 02/18
  • 1 minute read

Step Change in Safety reports an incident in which there was a potential dropped object due to an unsecured door on a load.

What happened?

The incident occurred when a flat pack spooler unit was being lifted from a vessel onto a platform.

What went wrong? What were the causes?

During the lift, the storage door had opened which revealed a small toolbox inside which was not secured.

Storage door with unsecured toolbox inside

Actions taken

Secondary retention solution put in place:

 

Secondary retention solution

Recommended size of the tie wrap is between 4.7mm and 13.2mm for drop locks. Secondary retention must be in place on all units with drop locks for both outward and inward transportation

Unsuitable secondary retention methods include linchpins, R-clips, spring/roll/nappy pins or any other type of pin device. All these means of secondary retention for lifting equipment or securing at height can spring open or be knocked out.

Unsuitable secondary retention methods

Latest Safety Flashes:

Vessel ran aground

A vessel on a short voyage ran aground while navigating through a narrow channel at low tide.

Read more
Fire in the engine room – fuel spray fire

A fire broke out on the starboard main engine due to a leak from the fuel pipe connection.

Read more
Fire hazard: missing splash tapes on fuel hose connections

It was observed that several engine fuel hose connections were not fitted with splash tapes.

Read more
Dropped pallet during cargo transfer

A plastic pallet loaded with plastic lube oil drums fell while being hoisted.

Read more
Positive – Enhancing safety communication through digital monitors

All crew and office personnel have 24/7 access to essential safety and operational updates.

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.