MSF: Near-miss dropped object: Protector plate drops from crane

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 10 August 2015
  • Generated on 22 February 2025
  • IMCA SF 11/15
  • 1 minute read

The Marine Safety Forum has published a safety flash regarding a recent near miss dropped object incident, in which parts fell from a crane. 

The incident occurred during lifting operations; the crane operator noticed an object falling from the crane. The object turned out to be a piece of nylon protector plate from the crane boom. Weight 0.95 kg, drop 40 m.

There was no one working in the area so no one was harmed and no damage was done. Had such an object hit someone it would have caused a fatality.

Members may wish to review the following similar incidents (search words: crane, dropped):

  • Near-miss: Crane hook block dropped to deck
  • Dropped object near-miss: Falling crane block
  • Near-miss: Dropped object fell from crane boom

This incident and the previous incidents in recent years serves to highlight the need to pay further careful attention to crane maintenance and to the clear risk of parts falling from the crane itself, in addition to managing the risk of objects falling from the load.

Latest Safety Flashes:

Crew transfer vessel (CTV) drifts onto turbine tower

A CTV drifted into and hit a nearby structure at 0.5 knots.

Read more
LTI: Fall from height during FRC maintenance

A worker fell 2.3 m to deck from a small boat in the davit, and broke a leg as a result. 

Read more
Near miss: narrowly avoided fall from height due to missing deck gratings

After a grating was removed, the Chief Engineer, on the way to inspect the work, nearly fell 4-5m.

Read more
MSF: A broken stretcher could have led to injury

The Marine Safety Forum (MSF) published Safety Alert 24-09 relating to a broken stretcher.

Read more
Positive story: Excellent galley hygiene and housekeeping

On a walk-around audit, a member highlights very high standards of housekeeping and hygiene in the galley on one of its vessels.

Read more

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.