Collaborative workshop advances safety for Walk to Work

Following regulator feedback, offshore safety organisations combine forces to find new solutions to improving safety for Walk to Work. 

A Workshop focusing on Walk to Work, organised by IMCA and the Global Offshore Wind Health and Safety Organisation (G+), took place on Tuesday 9 April 2024 at the Energy Institute in London. Attendees, who were drawn from across the membership bases of the two organisations, explored ways of improving safety and performance by placing an emphasis on greater collaboration.  

Over 50 experts on the topic attended, including Rhys Jones, Technical Adviser – Marine Renewable Energy, IMCA and Board Member Kate Harvey from G+, as well as equipment providers, vessel owners, vessel operators, asset owners and asset operators. Together, they aimed to identify deficiencies and areas for improvement in the way that Walk to Work systems are designed, integrated into vessels, procured, operated, and maintained.

Following specific concerns raised with the sector by regulators, its conclusions will inform future Guidance, including the upcoming review and revision of Guidelines for walk-to-work operations (IMCA M254), and support the Marine Renewable Energy Committee’s new working group on the topic. 

Rhys Jones commented: “Through this Workshop we were able to gain invaluable insight from Members and the sector more broadly, which will not only enable to us to improve our recommended practice but improve safety with Walk to Work Systems. We will continue to engage on this topic in the months ahead, including at IMCA’s DP Conference in Amsterdam in May.”