Near-miss: Dropped objects
- Safety Flash
- Published on 24 July 2012
- Generated on 23 April 2026
- IMCA SF 08/12
- 2 minute read
A member has reported an incident on an offshore platform in which three scaffold boards fell 4m from one deck to another.
What happened?
The incident occurred when the scaffold boards were being lowered in vertical bundles of three boards through a hatch opening on the cellar deck. The crew were using a timber hitch and a half hitch on a 19mm hemp rope fed through a shackle attached to a beam clamp. Whilst lifting the bundle of three boards over the handrail of the hatch, the knot holding the boards together contacted the handrail, causing it to loosen. This resulted in the three boards falling to the temporary deck (+24m level) four metres below. One of the boards then ricocheted off and fell a further 15 metres, landing in an area where two painters were working. The scaffold plank grazed one of the painters on the arm before coming to rest. The painter was assessed by the medic, but no treatment was required.
View through Cellar Deck Opening to +24m landing
View from Sub Cellar deck +24 m level
The investigation revealed the following:
- Work preparation and risk assessment was not adequate – the HIRA controls had been ‘ticked off’ and yet not followed, and the work method was inappropriate for the volume of scaffolding being moved.
- Improper rigging practices were used – the rope was rigged over a shackle rather than using a gin wheel.
- Three boards were being lowered at once – industry practice is for two boards at once as a maximum.
The following lessons and actions were identified:
- Local scaffolding guidelines were updated to reflect industry practice of no more than two boards to be lowered at a time.
- Dropped object zones need to account for potential deflection.
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.