MSF: Near-miss dropped object: Protector plate drops from crane

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 10 August 2015
  • Generated on 20 December 2025
  • IMCA SF 11/15
  • 1 minute read

The Marine Safety Forum has published a safety flash regarding a recent near miss dropped object incident, in which parts fell from a crane. 

The incident occurred during lifting operations; the crane operator noticed an object falling from the crane. The object turned out to be a piece of nylon protector plate from the crane boom. Weight 0.95 kg, drop 40 m.

There was no one working in the area so no one was harmed and no damage was done. Had such an object hit someone it would have caused a fatality.

This incident and the previous incidents in recent years serves to highlight the need to pay further careful attention to crane maintenance and to the clear risk of parts falling from the crane itself, in addition to managing the risk of objects falling from the load.

Latest Safety Flashes:

Two Walk-to-Work gangway incidents

A member reports two related incidents involving Walk-to-Work gangways.

Read more
Dropped object – Bailout cylinder inside diving bell

During bell preparations for saturation diving operations, an incident occurred within the vessel’s saturation system.

Read more
Man overboard in port: Seaman falls from quay access ladder

A crew member fell overboard during operations alongside.

Read more
LTI: Leg injury while using hand-held grinder

A worker suffered a leg injury whilst using a hand-held grinder.

Read more
BSEE: Anchor-handling causes damage to subsea equipment and triggers gas release

The United States Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has published Safety Alert 508 on 30 September 2025.

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.