Dropped object near-miss: Lifting
- Safety Flash
- Published on 2 October 2015
- Generated on 15 February 2026
- IMCA SF 14/15
- 2 minute read
During the lifting of twelve lightweight steel plates (2m x 15-30cm) width from ground level to a vessel work platform at 35 m elevation, the load shifted during the transfer to the work platform causing the plates to fall into a barricaded area below. The barricaded area was free from workers at the time; there were no injuries.
What went wrong?
- Obstruction/cramped workspace: The receiving area was obstructed by a scaffold rail and ladder which restricted the work space and made handling of the load awkward.
- There was a lack of management support: The Mechanical Supervisor and Lifting Supervisor failed to ensure that the scaffold design at an early stage was such that it facilitated the delivery of loads.
- Complacency: the rigging foreman, despite being fully qualified and competent for his position, failed to investigate alternative options to transfer the load (platform/scaffold modification, separating the load out into various sizes, use of a material lifting basket etc.).
- Short cut taken: The riggers and rigging foreman had taken a short cut and combined mixed sizes of steel plates into one load instead of separating out the load into various sizes or utilizing a material basket or modifying the scaffold in the receiving area to receive the load.
- There was no proper risk assessment of movement of the mixed load during transfer.
- There had been no proper toolbox talk before the job started with a new crew, and one rigger falsely signed as having attended the safety task instruction with the crew.
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.