Skip to content

Near-miss: Dropped object

A member has reported an incident in which a pipe-wrench weighing 1.2kg fell 15m to the deck. The incident occurred when hand tools were being hoisted up for use by personnel working at height. Two workers at height were preparing to lift three tools at once from the deck to their working platform, using a low pressure air hoist. A tag line was attached to one of the tools to help guide and avoid entanglement. Once the load could no longer be controlled by the tag line a ‘no go zone’ was put in place and the DROPS zone directly below was cleared of personnel. As the tools came to the level of the working platform one of them got caught on the bottom of the platform, which tore the stitching of the single leg tether (rated at 30lbs breaking strain). The result was that the tool fell 15m back to the deck. There were no injuries. The workplace was made safe and a safety stand-down was held.

Pipe-wrench that fell
Pipe-wrench that fell
Snapped single leg tether
Snapped single leg tether

Our member’s investigation noted the following:

  • The crew had held a job safety analysis (JSA) meeting beforehand and identified and assembled the tools required for the job;
  • The immediate cause of the incident was that the tool became caught during the lift, which caused the DROPS tether stitching to tear, allowing the pipe wrench to fall to the deck below.

Our member drew the following key lessons from the incident:

  • DROPS training plans should be continually emphasized;
  • Care should be taken with the safe work load (SWL) of straps and tethers used for hoisting tools;
  • Single leg tethers should not be used as lifting devices;
  • Establish a pre-use inspection and regular inspection cycle for DROPS equipment;
  • Carefully identify entanglement points on the lift route when hoisting tools aloft.

Members’ attention is drawn to the following IMCA material which may be of assistance:

Safety Event

Published: 14 November 2012
Download: IMCA SF 12/12

IMCA Safety Flashes
Submit a Report

IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of all. The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on Members sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Please consider adding [email protected] to your internal distribution list for safety alerts or manually submitting information on incidents you consider may be relevant. All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate.

IMCA’s store terms and conditions (https://www.imca-int.com/legal-notices/terms/) apply to all downloads from IMCA’s website, including this document.

IMCA makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in the documents it publishes, but IMCA shall 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.