BackDROPS Forum - Muscat, Oman, 31st Mar 2014
DROPS Muscat Forum Minutes
Grand Hyatt, Muscat.
Allen Smith opened the Forum and following a brief safety message from the Hotel Security Officer Amran Marhubi, Technical Director PDO addressed the delegates.
Welcome Address - Amran Marhubi, Technical Director PDO
Recalling historical dropped object related events, Amran emphasised the need for all to work together in pursuing improved performance with regard to dropped object prevention. PDO is committed to the initiative and seeks further commitments from all service partners to ensure that DROPS Best Practice elements are being implemented at the worksite.
DROPS : Do we really mitigate the risks? - Mahmoud Al-Shukri, PDO
The opening slide from Mahmoud demonstrated the statistics of dropped object incidents since 2007 to 2013 within PDO. There was a DROPS Forum in Muscat in November 2012, and then a noticeable drop in the number of incidents in 2013. PDO re-emphasised the DROPS principle and have a number of worksite hazard management systems in place but the question around risk management was asked. There are currently a number of initiatives rolled out but not all are implemented correctly - these include workplace checklists; No-Go Zone/Red Zones; and Tethered Tools/Registers. A video of an incident was shown and further described whereby a dropped fish flipped and fell down onto the rig floor. Four crew members were working in the area at the time. Subsequent findings showed that the job was risk assessed but no mitigations or a specific written procedure were in place to control the risk. PDO commit to raising the awareness of the potential of dropped objects potential incidents and will strive to make full use and share the products available from DROPS. All contractors and attendees were asked to help make the journey of DROPS a successful one.
Mahmoud's accompanying presentation (not including the video) is available to download here
DROPS Global Update - Allen Smith, DROPS
Allen reiterated the DROPS message and highlighted the products and tools that are available and should be used ie DROPS Reliable Securing; Best Practice for Tools at Height; Checklists' and Prompt. Some are available to download for free from our website www.dropsonline.org. Preventing Dropped Objects can be achieved by revisiting the basic principles and therefore the consequences eliminated. Highlighted were the DROPS Supply Chain model and the question asked to the audience to check that they are aware that incidents can happen at any time. Pictures of potential hazards were shown and the audience shared what they assumed the outcome could be, should any of the items fall. The DROPS calculator was explained to demonstrate the potential consequence of a potential dropped object that would enable a clear risk assessment to be undertaken. Despite the abundance of material and products available, there are still clear challenges in the journey to prevent DROPS. The challenges include gaps in implementation; limited or restricted communications across the supply chain; Regional business models and cultures. By following the DROPS principles and engaging leadership and the workforce, the awareness to identify the potential hazards is increased and therefore the opportunity is there to prevent incidents from happening.
Allen's accompanying presentation is available to download here
DROPS Prevention : Look Up & Live! - Sagar Raut, Seadrill
Sagar gave a presentation which started with their statistics in the Africa/Middle East region in 2013. There were a total of 47 dropped objects that were recorded, including 21 that had the potential to be a Fatality, and 5 Major incidents. Further breakdown of the statistics demonstrated that 35 were objects to the Drill Floor, 9 to the deck, 2 to the substructure and 1 overboard. Out of the drill floor items, 16 of these had the potential to be a fatality. Seadrill recognise that there is still an ongoing issue with dropped object incidents occurring and they have several initiatives in place. These include DROPS Awareness training; inspections; securing equipment; barriers and incident reporting and investigation. Each topic was described in more detail and Sagar reminded the audience that these incidents are still occurring and there is an unacceptable level of 'tolerance' regarding dropped objects from some companies. He encouraged the audience to learn from the Best Practices, other operators across the region and share learnings to help eliminate Drops from happening.
Sagar's accompanying presentation is available to download here
Inspections : Good and Bad Practices - Leon Dashwood, OES
Leon provided an overview of OES and outlined what a Dropped Object Inspection consists of. Thorough visual inspections which include rig crew inspections/hazard hunts; regular HSE audits and third party inspections. It was emphasised that once an inspection is done, it is then up to the recipient of the Dropped Objects Register to close out and ensure corrective actions are undertaken. Example pictures of good and bad practices were shown and include housekeeping, pipe clamps and shackles. OES have a central training centre that is used to train their inspectors to the same global standard with regard to Dropped Object Prevention.
Leon's accompanying presentation is available to download here
Weatherford Dropped Object Prevention Programme - Sorin Ghergu, Weatherford
Sorin presented the Weatherford Standard that is used as a guide to eliminating the incidence of dropped objects from occurring within their operations including the derrick area, rig floor and from cranes. Highlighted were the responsibilities of the Senior Toolpusher (STP) and the Rig Crew. The STP co-ordinates the implementation of DROPS and tracks progress at the rig site. They are responsible for the procedure being followed and monitoring the use and success of the programme. The rig crew is responsible for identifying potential dropped objects, methods of securing potential objects that could drop, and removing redundant equipment from the worksite. Some pictures of potential dropped objects areas and a variety of equipment found in a Mast during an initial survey were shown. Highlighted were good and bad practices, as well as areas to look out for potential incidents. Examples of training, tools at Height and Best Practices were shared.
Sorin's accompanying presentation is available to download here
Shell Perspective on providing a Global Dropped Objects Prevention Programme - Paul Boutkan, Shell
Paul shared with the audience the history of dropped object incidents within Shell. Two fatalities from dropped object incidents were shared. One happened in 2008 and the other in 2009. The exact same type of incident in 2008 also happened in 2009 and 2013. Shell have developed a Standard that was rolled out in 2009 and over the past 4 years, a variety of communication methods have been delivered to the WELLS sites globally to help raise the awareness. However the statistics do not show an improvement in the number of incidents reducing. On average there are 7 High Potential incidents recorded a month. Paul asked that the audience work together to share best practice to prevent dropped objects, comply with standards and learn from incidents.
Paul's accompanying presentation is available to download here
NOV DROPS Activities - Lukasz Szadkowski, NOV
NOV have a high focus on eliminating DROPS and have a workgroup with members from the main NOV locations within their organisation. The group focus includes help with Secondary Retention best practice, coordinate dropped object investigations, and monthly meetings. A Team Charter includes following up on incidents, implementing actions to address the root cause both internally and with the customer; reviewing NOV products to ensure compliance with recognised secondary retention process and the group also has the authority to request assistance, where applicable to participate and assist with design change. Picture examples where shown of incidents that had occurred and the corrective actions after were explained. Actions from NOV include seeking customer input and also gaining knowledge as to how they can help inform customers better.
Lukasz's accompanying presentation is available to download here
DROPS Surveys & Improving the implementation of DROPS - Shibu John, Special Oilfield Services
The SOS Initiative and challenge was to develop and establish a DROPS survey team as part of their inspection services. They attended DROPS forums and training and currently have 7 specialists who can perform a DROPS Survey. Examples of an SOS survey were shown. Initial survey reports are custom-built with more photographs to help provide a better understanding of the dropped object and status. Subsequent revisions of a survey now include a risk rating and generic drops checklist with a severity rating and recommended frequency for inspection. Over a 2 year period, and across several rigs, statistical evidence of items inspected highlighted either a satisfactory condition or a potential hazard. Their experience demonstrates that there is an increase in the awareness at each rig however there are still challenges including at the design stage and with communication. Photos of challenges were shown and recommendations were given.
Shibu's accompanying presentation is available to download here
Schlumberger Risk Based Management of DROPS - Ana Judith Aldas, Schlumberger
Ana opened her presentation with the Schlumberger worldwide statistics from 2010-2013. Dropped Objects is not a new topic in Schlumberger. In 2011 they rolled out a campaign called Live and Learn. This programme was updated to incorporate a behavioural science approach and was delivered in August 2013. A training programme was introduced based on the basic principles of DROPS Training and 90% of assigned personnel are now trained (24,092 employees). This training material expanded beyond the rig sites. In Oman they have implemented DROPS as part of their HSE plans, rolled out Prevention and Awareness training with 91.2% compliance and ensure that regular safety awareness meetings are delivered. The Schlumberger 2014 focus includes developed an internal DROPS Standard that will be a risk based approach involving various parts of the organisation. The scope of the Standard will cover all work locations including rig-sites; vessels, camps stored, yards, warehouses, laboratories etc, and will be applicable to all personnel, contractors and third party sites.
Dropped Objects Prevention - Adam Robinson, KCA Deutag
Adam shared the KCA Dropped object standard with the audience. Highlighted were the initiatives that they currently have in place to help prevent these kinds of incidents from occurring. These initiatives include Audits, Hazard Hunts, group discussions; Introduction of DROPS Wardens and using technology to improve the quality of inspections. He encouraged Clients to challenge KCA personnel working on their sites to demonstrate that they are following Dropped Objects standards. Examples of a Dropped Objects Inspection Book, red zones and tripping zones were also shown. The DROPS wardens' initiative was introduced in Africa and it was explained these are personnel who are selected daily to rotate the position. Their duties include monitoring personnel who are working near a DROPS zone; participate in the toolbox talks to discuss DROPS hazards; and to use a whistle to alarm personnel whom allow their safety to be compromised. The DROPS Warden initiative has put the onus of responsibility back at the worksite and has now proven to empower the workforce. This will be rolled out further across different KCA rig crews and you can contact KCA directly for more information.
Adam's accompanying presentation is available to download here
OPAL's HSE Function - Irshad Al Lawati, OPAL
Irshad shared with the audience the outline of OPAL's history and its objectives. The aim of the group is to support and assist members with HSE Best Practices and standards. OPAL would like to explore ways to include DROPS in their HSE Elements and make it part of CVC Requirements. They would also like to ensure that DROPS is included in future HSE engagement with Contractors and will facilitate and promote DROPS Best Practices.
Irshad's accompanying presentation is available to download here
Closing Address - Khamis Al Saadi, PDO
Khamis thanked the audience for their commitment to DROPS by participating in this forum. He shared some examples of actual fatalities that have happened within PDO over the past 30 years that are all attributed to 'dropped objects'. The majority of these incidents could have been prevented. Khamis emphasised that he closed the forum in 2012 and feels that there is very little progress made in the region. The audience was asked if they knew why there is no improvement. We have the tools and the interest, and it is evident from the presentations at today's event that there are pockets of excellence that we can all learn from. There is a commitment from PDO to provide hands-on support to raise awareness and try to eradicate dropped objects. PDO would like everyone today to join forces to work together to achieve this goal with OPAL driving the initiative.
Q&A
ACTIONS: With respect to aligning regional training across the supply chain, OPAL agreed to follow this up and determine how they might influence and drive improvement.