Near-miss: Dropped object from crane

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 6 December 2016
  • Generated on 4 April 2025
  • IMCA SF 33/16
  • 1 minute read

A Member has reported a near miss incident in which there was a dropped object from a crane.

What happened?

 A protection bar from the small hook on the main crane came loose and fell from approximately 70m down to deck, leaving a small dent in the deck.

This incident serves as a timely reminder. Members are encouraged to:

  • Continue the reporting of both ‘unsafe conditions’ and ‘positive observations’ regarding dropped objects in order to share our experiences across vessels, sites and locations.
  • Continue with “dropped object searches” focusing on potential dropped objects. In particular, check cranes, masts etc. on board for loose items.
  • Renew emphasis on the inclusion of dropped objects during work planning, toolbox talks, before and after work inspections.

There are many dropped object incidents worthy of review. This is the 27th dropped object incident published by IMCA in the last two years – over 9% of safety incidents reported by IMCA in the last two years have been dropped object incidents. 

Latest Safety Flashes:

Incidents occurring during decommissioning

IMCA has put together a summary of incidents relating to decommissioning.

Read more
LTI: rope under tension moved and hit person’s hand

A member of the crew suffered a serious hand injury when struck by a rope under tension.

Read more
Injuries during lifting operations

A member reports two separate lifting activities involving failure of lifting equipment and resulting in minor injuries to nearby personnel.

Read more
Finger injury during manual handling

An IMCA’s members’ utilities supplier in the United States reports a serious finger injury during manual handling

Read more
Acetylene gas explosion

There was a small explosion and fire when crew were working on an oxy-acetylene system.

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.