Unsafe flooring led to man overboard fatality
- Safety Flash
- Published on 3 October 2023
- Generated on 19 December 2025
- IMCA SF 23/23
- 2 minute read
A fatality occurred in January 2023, on an offshore worksite, whereby a worker fell overboard because of a dislodged section of polymer grating, commonly used in the offshore industry.
What happened?
(This incident did not occur on an IMCA Member's facility.)
On a jack-up rig in transit, a crew member was reported missing, believed to have gone overboard.
The missing crew member finished their shift at 18:00 and was last seen just after 19:00.
During the investigation it was identified that a section of polymer grating outside an accommodation door, used to provide a means of access and egress, had become dislodged, thereby exposing employees to the hole in the decking area.
It is understood that the lost crew member must have fallen through this hole.
Further inspection by the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that further multiple polymer grating systems had been installed similar to the one that was dislodged and were found to be unsecure.
See also https://www.hse.gov.uk/safetybulletins/floor-grating-systems.htm.
Examples of typical polymer grating systems and detail of various fittings
Actions
There is potential for a similar incident to occur on IMCA members’ vessels or installations, in work areas such as towers, reels, cranes and access platforms, or ROV systems, and on external walkways.
- Identify areas on the vessel where this kind of grating is found (Glass Reinforced Plastics (GRP) or Fibre Reinforced Plastics (FRP)) and ensure that the fasteners are installed as per the OEM instructions.
- Ensure the possibility of such grating coming loose and falling, is included in existing dropped object checklists.
- Update planned maintenance systems as required.
Related safety flashes
-
IMCA SF 11/21
16 April 2021
-
-
IMCA SF 24/17
5 October 2017
-
-
IMCA SF 24/17
5 October 2017
-
-
IMCA SF 06/06
20 June 2006
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.