Dropped Object Prevention Offshore

Offshore environments present unique challenges when it comes to dropped object prevention. Personnel may work at significant heights above decks, equipment, walkways and other operational areas, while wind, vibration, corrosion and harsh marine conditions can increase the potential for objects to become detached.

A robust dropped-object prevention strategy helps reduce the risk of tools, equipment and components falling from height and causing injury, equipment damage or operational disruption.

What is a dropped object offshore?

A dropped object is anything that unintentionally falls from its previous position.

On an offshore installation, this could include:

Hand tools
Power tools
Sockets and fasteners
Lighting fixtures
Cameras
Instrumentation
Covers and panels
Valves and components
Temporary equipment
Maintenance materials
Structural components

The potential severity of an incident depends on factors such as object mass, drop height, location and what is below the object.

Why is dropped object prevention important offshore?

Offshore installations can create particularly challenging working conditions.

Height

Workers may operate on multiple levels, platforms, towers and elevated structures.

Wind

Strong or changing winds can move unsecured objects and materials.

Vibration

Rotating equipment and machinery can contribute to loosening or fatigue of fixings.

Corrosion

Saltwater and marine environments can accelerate corrosion and deterioration of components and attachment points.

Restricted working areas

Offshore facilities often have complex layouts with equipment and personnel operating close together.

Simultaneous operations

Multiple teams may be working in different areas of an installation at the same time, increasing the importance of controlling potential drop zones.

For these reasons, dropped-object prevention needs to be considered as part of planning, risk assessment and work-at-height controls.

Common causes of dropped objects offshore

Dropped objects can result from both human factors and equipment failure.

Loose tools

Tools placed on elevated surfaces can be displaced by wind, vibration or accidental contact.

Inadequate tool securing

Tools being used at height without an appropriate tethering system can become falling objects if dropped.

Failed fixings

Bolts, brackets or other primary attachment systems can deteriorate or fail.

Corrosion

Offshore conditions can contribute to deterioration of fixings, equipment and retention systems.

Poor housekeeping

Loose components and materials left in elevated work areas can present a dropped-object risk.

Equipment degradation

Regular inspection is important because wear, fatigue and environmental exposure can affect equipment over time.

How can dropped objects be prevented offshore?

Dropped-object prevention should use multiple layers of control rather than relying on one product or procedure.

1. Identify potential hazards

Before work begins, identify tools, equipment, components and materials that could potentially fall.

2. Assess the risk

Consider the object's:

Weight
Height
Location
Potential impact area
Likelihood of falling
Potential consequences

3. Secure portable tools

Tools used at height can be secured using appropriate tool tethering systems and tool lanyards.

Typical applications include:

Spanners
Sockets
Ratchets
Screwdrivers
Pliers
Hammers
Torque tools
Battery tools
Pneumatic tools
Specialist maintenance tools

4. Use secondary retention

Where appropriate, installed equipment can have an independent secondary retention system.

Examples include:

Retention wires
Retention nets
Safety wires
Other engineered retention arrangements

For example:

Primary fixing → equipment

plus

Independent retention wire → equipment → structure

If the primary fixing fails, the secondary retention system can help prevent the equipment from becoming a falling object.

5. Establish exclusion zones

Where a dropped-object hazard cannot be completely eliminated, access to the potential drop zone should be appropriately controlled.

6. Inspect equipment

Tools, fixings, attachment points, tethering systems and retention equipment should be inspected in accordance with applicable procedures and manufacturer requirements.

7. Maintain good housekeeping

Tools and materials should not be left unsecured on elevated surfaces.

Tool tethering offshore

Tool tethering is an important control when workers are using hand tools or other equipment at height.

A typical system might be:

Tool → tether → worker or suitable anchor point

The tethering equipment must be appropriate for the tool's weight, intended movement and working environment.

Offshore applications may also require consideration of:

Corrosion resistance
Weather exposure
Chemical exposure
Temperature
Abrasion
Working range
Attachment method

Improvised tethering arrangements should be avoided.

Secondary retention offshore

Secondary retention is particularly important for installed equipment where a primary fixing failure could create a dropped-object hazard.

For example, a camera mounted to an offshore structure may have:

Primary retention:
Mounting bracket and mechanical fixings.

Secondary retention:
An independent stainless-steel retention wire or retention net attached to a suitable structural point.

The secondary system should be selected and installed according to the specific equipment, attachment arrangement, environment and applicable requirements.

Secure Tools secondary retention

This is an area where Secure Tools has a particularly strong proposition.

You already supply stainless-steel retention wires and retention nets, including solutions that can be configured for individual applications.

I'd make this extremely prominent within the article rather than hiding it at the bottom.

Offshore DROPS prevention

Dropped object prevention offshore is closely associated with DROPS — Dropped Objects Prevention Scheme.

However, I'd avoid presenting DROPS as simply a product category.

A strong offshore dropped-object prevention programme can involve:

Risk identification

Risk assessment

Engineering controls

Tool tethering

Secondary retention

Exclusion zones

Inspection & maintenance

Training & procedures

The exact controls required will depend on the installation, activity, equipment and applicable company and regulatory requirements.

Dropped object prevention offshore checklist

Before undertaking work at height offshore, consider:

Have potential dropped objects been identified?
Has the drop zone been assessed?
Are loose tools and materials controlled?
Are appropriate tools tethered?
Are tethering points suitable?
Has installed equipment been assessed for secondary retention?
Are retention wires/nets appropriate for the application?
Have fixings and attachment points been inspected?
Are exclusion zones required?
Has the work team been briefed on the dropped-object controls?

Secure Tools — Offshore Dropped Object Prevention

Secure Tools supplies specialist products designed to help organisations control dropped-object risks when working at height, including:

Tool Tethering
Tools, lanyards and tethering accessories.

Working-at-Height Tools
Professional tools designed for use in elevated work environments.

Secondary Retention
Retention wires and nets for equipment and fixtures.

Specialist Industrial Tools
Tools for demanding industrial and hazardous environments.

Bespoke Solutions
Custom retention and tooling solutions for specific applications.

This is where I'd include a strong CTA:

Need help securing equipment offshore?
Speak to Secure Tools about our specialist tool tethering and secondary retention solutions.

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