BackFrequently Asked Questions
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DROPS MEMBERSHIP?
Q: How much does DROPS Membership cost?
A: Each new DROPS member organisation is required to contribute £995 (GBP) to assist in the cost of facilitation, administration and developing new tools and materials for dropped object prevention. Your £995 is effectively a joining fee and it includes your first year's membership subscription (presently £495).
Q: What are the Benefits of DROPS Membership?
A: The benefits of DROPS membership are that you (and your colleagues) are invited to all Forum meetings, issued with a downloadable campaign pack, and you are instrumental in driving the direction and deliverables of the Campaign. Members can also nominate and participate in specific Focus Groups addressing key dropped object prevention issues and improvements.
Q: Where do DROPS meet?
A: DROPS host Forum meetings regularly around the world: with at least 6 events per year in Europe and additional events in Asia, the Americas and the Middle East where we exchange best practice, present new tools and techniques and discuss performance in an open and collaborative environment.
Q: Who manages DROPS?
A: Silverdot Limited is the Company charged with the global facilitation and management of DROPS and they report to the DROPS Global Steering Committee that is responsible for the worldwide management and direction of the Campaign. The Steering Committee is made up of major operators and engineering/drilling contractors. Regional Steering Committees are also in place in Asia and USA to manage local events and Forums.
DROPPED OBJECT DEFINITIONS?
Q: What is the definition of a Dropped Object?
A: A ‘dropped object’ is any item that falls from its previous position. This covers all items, materials or objects of any mass / density. Dropped Objects may be classified as static or dynamic
Q: What is a Static Dropped Object?
A: A Static Dropped Object is a any object that falls from its previous position under its own weight (gravity) without any applied force. For example, failure caused by corrosion, vibration or inadequate securing.
Q: What is a Dynamic Dropped Object?
A: A Dynamic Dropped Object is any object that falls from its previous position due to applied force, eg collisions involving travelling equipment or loads, snagging on machinery or stacked items, motion, helicopter downdraft or severe weather.
Q: What are Primary Fixings?
A: The primary method by which an item is installed, mounted and secured as to prevent the item falling, eg bolted connections, screws, pins, buckles, clips, welds etc.
Q: What is Secondary Retention?
A: The engineered method for securing the primary fixing to prevent loss of clamping force or displacement of fastening components, eg locking washers, locking wire, split pins / cotter pins, etc.
Also referred to as Second Barrier or Fail Safe feature in some engineering descriptions.
Note: Double Lock-nutting or Dual Nutting is NOT recommended.
Q: What is Safety or Secondary Securing?
A: An additional engineered method applied to or around the item and secured back to the main structure, designed to restrain the item should the primary fixing fail, eg rated steel or synthetic nets, baskets, wires, slings etc.
DROPS CALCULATOR?
Q: Should I deduct the average person’s height from the fall height when using the DROPS Calculator?
A: No. You never make any deduction in lieu of a person’s height etc as the object may strike a head, a shoulder a leg or a foot. Also, the person may be bent over, crouching or lying on the ground at time of impact.
Q: What assumptions are made by the DROPS Calculator?
A: The Calculator assumes that full PPE is being worn and that the object is blunt (no sharp edges).
Q: Where did the DROPS Calculator derive from?
A: The DROPS Calculator is derived from detailed research undertaken by Shell Expro in The Hague in the 1990s. DROPS reviewed a number of similar calculators applied throughout the Industry over 10 years ago and, by consensus, we developed the DROPS Calculator based on the Shell version. While other calculators are still used in the Industry, over 95% of our membership recognise and use the DROPS Calculator.
Q: How Accurate is the Calculator?
A: The DROPS Calculator is a guide only and is intended to give a general idea of the potential severity of a dropped object. A detailed and specific risk assessment will always deliver a more accurate calculation of potential severity.
Q: The Electronic DROPS Calculator stops at 15m – what about higher falls?
A: Heights above 15m can still be entered into the box above the chart and the outcome will be accurately calculated and presented, however, the point will not be displayed on the visual graph which does not extend beyond 15m.