Objects dropped from pipelay tower
- Safety Flash
- Published on 8 May 2015
- Generated on 22 February 2025
- IMCA SF 06/15
- 2 minute read
A member has reported an incident in which two objects fell from a pipelay tower.
What happened?
The incident occurred some four weeks after repairs to a 360Te winch wire garage at the top of the pipelay tower. These repairs had involved the erection of scaffolding 50-60m above the deck in the pipelay tower, removal of the garage assembly, repair and reinstallation.
During operations four weeks later a shaft weighing 1kg and shaft end cap weighing 500g fell approximately 57m to the mobile work platform below. There were no injuries.
The objects which fell from the tower
The objects which fell from the tower
Our member’s investigation noted the following:
- During the earlier reinstallation of the garage assembly, the securing bolts for the shaft end cap were installed without any means of thread locker (Loctite). This resulted in the bolts for one of the shaft end caps vibrating loose, resulting in the shaft being unrestrained and free to vibrate out along with the end cap.
- There was no written work instruction or method statement for the earlier corrective maintenance.
- There was no means of securing the end cap retaining bolts other than the torque of the bolt itself in the shaft.
- The drawings for the garage assembly and parts list did not reference the use of thread locker.
- The garage assembly was not listed on the vessel asset equipment register and therefore no maintenance was assigned to it.
Our member took the following actions:
- Use of secondary means of securing fasteners for all equipment, particularly at height.
- Checked security and integrity of remaining fasteners.
- Fasteners cleaned, torqued to the correct value, thread locked (Loctite) and wire moussed.
- Equipment entered into the appropriate asset equipment register and planned maintenance scheduled.
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.