There are a significant number of members who have not responded to their annual fee notices. Final reminders will be sent this month and membership will be terminated in October if we still receive no response.

DROPS International:

DROPS North America forum was held in Houston on 26th June and a DROPS Asia Forum was held in Singapore on 22nd May. Both events were well attended and enthusiastically received and each resulted in new members for DROPS.
A DROPS Asia Forum will be held in Beijing, China on Thursday 18th September at the Beijing Swissotel. Kindly sponsored by Baker Hughes, Shell and Dropsafe, registration is via www.dropsasia.com.
A DROPS Asia Forum will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia on Wednesday 5th November at the Hotel Mulia Senayan. Kindly sponsored by Chevron Indonesia, registration is via www.dropsasia.com.
The Government of Tunisia invited DROPS representation at their annual oil and gas summit in Tunis on September 25th. Allen Smith will represent DROPS and deliver a general awareness presentation to the assembled delegates.
Keep an eye on the “Events” section at www.dropsonline.org for latest details of all upcoming events.
DROPS Training:
Since last forum, several UK DROPS Train-the-Trainer sessions have been held at Silverdot’s offices. See the DROPS Training section of www.dropsonline.org for details of all upcoming training
International training has also been held in Houston and Lafayette (USA), Ghana (offshore), Brisbane (Australia) and Singapore.
DROPS training is currently being delivered in Sakhalin, Russia followed by South Korea (part of NOV global rollout at Busan yards), Beijing and offshore Holland.
For further details and registration for any DROPS training contact training@dropsonline.org.

European DROPS Forums:

The annual Norway Forum will be held in Stavanger on Thursday September 25th at the Statoil Business Centre in Forus East. Forum will run from 1000-1230 followed by lunch. Many thanks to Statoil for supporting this Forum.
The last UK DROPS Forum of 2014 will be held in Aberdeen at the Marcliffe Hotel on Thursday 27th November. This will be followed by festive lunch and we kindly request that everyone responds to the invitations that will be issued in advance
As the Marcliffe Hotel closes a few days after our next UK Forum, we are delighted to advise that all Aberdeen 2015 Forums will be held in the De Vere Hotel, opening later this year in Kingswells. Forum timing will differ slightly, starting at 0930 and finishing at noon. Dates for Aberdeen Forums in 2015 will be: 26th February, 30th April, 3rd September and 1st December (followed by festive lunch).

Today’s Presenters:

Greg thanked the Presenters for today: Donald Cumming, BG Group presented his findings from a recent new rig build visit. Andy Charlesworth of Crosby shared his experience on topic of Shackles. Donald Dobson gave his HSE Update and Steve Struthers presented us with a Marine update.
During the coffee break and after proceedings, we had table top demonstrations and product information from BLH DOM and Cyberhawk. BLH DOM are launching their Integrity Solutions division and Einar Skavland showed their barricading systems. Cyberhawk are represented by Patrick Saracco and he described their innovative close inspection services employing remotely operated aerial vehicles.

Safety Alerts and Lessons Learned:

A number of Alerts and Lessons Learned were presented and where possible these presentations are made available to download with these minutes.
Last month we issued a series of Alerts to all members including Marine Safety Forum’s alert on a sledge hammer left on top of a CCU during vessel operations at port and noticed by the Platform flagman (potential drop of 60m); Unique Sealex note of failed lifting ring and recall details; and Enform’s alert on a substantial washer that fell from a crown sheave assembly. These can be downloaded from following Crown sheave assembly, MSF Safety flash and Unique Seaflex Safety Notice.
Thanks to another DROPS member for pointing us towards a startling incident on a Canadian Highway where an axe falls from the rear of a pick-up truck and embeds in the windscreen of the following vehicle (close similarities to DROPS Tour of Duty workshop/movie). See images here.
Please continue to share alerts and lessons learned with us. Similarly, if you would like to discuss or recommend a presentation / speaker, please contact admin@dropsonline.org

DROPS Backroom:

Reliable Securing – Spanish translation is now available to download as well as Russian. Arabic, Malay and Portuguese (Brazilian) translations are in hand but we do seek member support with additional translations if you can help.
Our Backloading Focus Group is responding to OGUK’s request for our input next version of their Cargo Packing and Handling Guidelines. Focus Group is drafting their new Backloading pocketbook which they will seek to issue as DROPS Best Practice. They will also be seeking additional endorsement (use of logo) from DROPS Members companies active in backloading operations

New DROPS Focus Groups:

Later everyone had the opportunity to vote on which areas we should establish Focus Groups to address in the year ahead.

Observations on New Build Rig – Donald Cumming, BG Group

Donald provided an overview of his findings that arose from a review of a new build rig commissioned by BG. From the outset of the contract, certain expectations were aspired to, in the hope that any potential dropped object could be eradicated from the start. Unfortunately, the findings proved disappointing. Photo examples of poorly designed equipment, from masts to nets were explained. Also described were findings from a derrick that has secondary retention issues with fingerboards, sheaves, junction boxes, gates, tools etc. The conclusions were the importance of clearly defining and documenting expectations in contracts to ensure they are clear and formal. ’Real time’ monitoring is important to catch poor installation quickly, before everything is installed. Donald noted BG’s preferred bolting was Nordlock but that many were unaware of the excellent training / awareness that Nordlock provide for use of their products. Nordlock’s Richard Waddington was in attendance and later presented an informative response to these findings. Donald’s presentation is available to download here and Nordlock’s information is available here.

HSE Update – Donald Dobson, HSE

Presented were the HSE statistics as analysed by Donald up to end August 2014. The current trend demonstrates that Quarter 3 for 2014 is on par with 2013. From Jan to date showed that 57 incidents had occurred. Further analysis of these incidents showed that on the rig floor, 16 were due to dropped objects within Derrick and Well Operations. These incidents included a joint of 5” drill pipe (275kg) that fell 1.2m from elevators to rotator table; and a die from a top-drive grab (0.4kg) falling 30m to rig floor. The HSE statistics from Cranes and Lifting were shown and 10 incidents were recorded to date for 2014. These included a section of a deluge spray pipework (32kg) detaching from crane ‘A’ frame ladder and falling 17m to main deck; and a bundle of 31 scaffold tubes falling 15m to the landing area. There were 31 other dropped objects incidents in 2014 that did not fall into the previous categories and these included: a spotlight (3kg) found to be missing and suspected to have fallen into the sea; a sheet of metal (8.6kg) fell 9m to the walkway. The category of unsecured items included a scaffold tube (10.7kg) that dislodged and fell 7m to cellar deck, and a bag of nuts and bolts (10kg) that fell 22m. Donald’s full presentation is available to download here.

Marine Update – Steve Struthers, Gulfmark

Steve presented incidents that have been experienced in the marine sector of the industry. A 5 year statistical summary was explained and a breakdown of incidents from the past 3 years has shown that 72% of incidents have arisen from back loading from offshore, and a further breakdown demonstrated that 82% of the total incidents were due to failed checks. Steve’s presentation showed an incident where a drill pipe dropped from the drill mast rooster box impaled on the ship’s desk. Fortunately it landed in an area that was not frequented by personnel but the potential for a fatality remained. Photos of items that were found were displayed and explained. Highlighted again was overboard discharge that is continually experienced by the vessels that come alongside the rig. The new website for MSF is www.marinesafetyforum.org and their next meeting is 6 November. Steve’s full presentation is available to download here.

Spring Hanger Incident – Pat Watson, Baker Hughes

Pat provided the background and information of an incident that occurred earlier this year where part of a spring hanger and lift cylinder (approx. 50kg) fell 4 metres to the drill floor. Photos the incident were included and described in more detail. Some background information on spring hanger design and maintenance was provided as this particular item had been in service for 11 years. The immediate Cause Analysis concluded a tensile fracture and the root of this includes the design, which does not allow for drainage or access for inspection of the centre rod. There was also a lack of secondary retention. A Corrective Action plan was put in place with all actions to be concluded by the end of November 2014. Details of the incident are available here.

Shackles – Andy Charlesworth, Crosby

The members were introduced to the background of Crosby shackles and an explanation given on the different types that are manufactured. New methods have been introduced for locking the shackle. Key considerations for the application of shackles were covered and these are all topics covered in the training that is available in Aberdeen on a regular basis. Andy reiterated that Crosby shackles are available in a range of specifications to meet the requirements for tough and demanding lifting applications. All Crosby shackles are designed to allow for varied operating conditions during planned and unintended service – including loads exceeding WLL, shock loads, repeated cycle loads, environmental conditions etc. A video was shown on the process of how their shackles are forged. All shackles 25 metric tons and above are factory equipped with RFID chips. Other Crosby items have RFID tags installed in them. More information is available on their website www.thecrosbygroup.com

There is an invite from Crosby for suggestions to help influence the design of shackles. This is an ideal opportunity for members to influence the elimination of dropped objects from the design stage. Please contact Andy directly at ACHARLESWORTH@crosbyeurope.co.uk

Focus Group Updates – Focus Group leaders

A few of the focus group leaders provided the following updates to their achievements to date:

Back-loading – Greg advised that the Cargo Handling Focus Group were progressing well and their Cargo Handling booklet had been developed to first draft with the goal of completion by year end and issue with DROPS Campaign Packs. Focus Group had also responded to OGUK’s request for input to their update of Cargo guidelines. Those members active in backloading will be asked if they wish to specifically endorse the new booklet at next draft stage.

DROPS Competency – Andy Beckley provided an update to the attendees. The group have done an analysis of the various training available and they are developing a standard and will look for the backing of the group. An update will be discussed with the Steering Committee early November, looking to have a Best Practice available by year end.

Future Focus Topics

The members were invited to suggest topics for future focus groups at the last forum and the topics chosen were:

Asset Integrity
Pre-lift inspection checklist/prompt card
Contractor standard for carrying out surveys
Subsea drops calculator
Cross industry with construction
Red zone
How do we Inform supply chain and manufacturers of best practice (DROPS guidance)
Maintenance and inspection standards for periodic secondary retention and securing
Environmental/weather impacts
Redundant equipment /asset integrity
Human factors – behavioural safety
Snagging hazards – ID and awareness
Reliable securing specifically for derricks
Routine jobs not always routine – TRA/JSA
Consequence awareness
Work Planning – DROPS activities vs bed space

A vote was held in the room and this concluded that the new Focus Groups will be:

Human Factors
Maintenance and Inspection standards for periodic secondary retention and securing
Supply Chain and Manufacturers - providing DROPS Guidance/Best Practice

Members were reminded that the Focus Groups only work with the commitment of volunteers. A request for leaders and volunteers for each group will be issued in the coming weeks.

The following groups were confirmed as going ahead along with existing groups:

Refresh Best Practices
DORIS – old focus group will be re-established.

Additionally, the suggested topic of a Pre-lift Inspection checklist/prompt card will be looked after by the existing Backloading Focus Group.

Open Floor and Any Other Business

Greg thanked everyone for their participation and invited the attendees to offer any issues for further discussion in the open floor session.

Next meetings:

Date: Thursday 25 September 2014
Time: 1000-1430
Venue: Statoil Offices, Stavanger
Host: Statoil

Date: Thursday 27 November 2014
Time: 0945-1230 (Festive lunch to follow)
Venue: Marcliffe Hotel, Aberdeen
Host: DROPS Global Steering Committee Members

Dropped Objects Prevention Scheme Global Resource Centre

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DROPS Forum - Aberdeen, 4th September 2014

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