BackDROPS Forum - Stavanger, 25th September 2014
The meeting was opened by and a safety brief was delivered. Round the room introductions followed.
Membership:
In recent months, we have welcomed the following new DROPS members:
DROPS International:
- DROPS North America forum was held in Houston on 26th June and DROPS Asia Forums were held in Singapore on 22nd May and in Beijing last week. All events were well attended and enthusiastically received and each resulted in new members for DROPS.
- A DROPS Asia Forum will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia on Wednesday 5thNovember 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 represented DROPS and delivered 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:
- In recent months, 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 been held in Houston, Lafayette, Ghana, Brisbane, Singapore, Sakhalin, 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 last 2014 UK DROPS Forum will be held in Marcliffe Hotel, Aberdeen on Thursday 27th November.
- 2015 Aberdeen Forums will be held in the new De Vere Hotel where timing will differ slightly (0930-1200). Dates for Aberdeen Forums in 2015 will be: 26thFebruary, 30th April, 3rd September and 1st December.
Today’s Presenters:
- Presenters were thanked and attendees had opportunity to speak with presenters at coffee break and after lunch.
- Special thanks were extended to Statoil for supporting and hosting this Forum
Safety Alerts and Lessons Learned:
- A number of Alerts and Lessons Learned were presented and these are made available to download with these brief minutes of proceedings.
- 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) which can be downloaded here; Unique Sealex note of failed lifting ring and recall details which can be downloaded here; and Enform’s alert on a substantial washer that fell from a crown sheave assembly which can be downloaded here;
- 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). Details can be downloaded 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. Seeking member support with additional translations.
DROPS Focus Groups:
- Backloading Focus Group are drafting their new Backloading pocketbook for issue as DROPS Best Practice at year end. Competency Focus Group will also issue their “minimum standard” by year end.
- At last Forum, three New Focus Groups were chosen for the year ahead: (a) Human Factors,
(b) Maintenance and Inspection Standards for periodic secondary retention and securing, and
(c) Supply Chain and Manufacturers - providing DROPS Guidance/Best Practice. - Focus Group Volunteers will be sought in due course.
Regional Update – Sigurd Førsund, PSA
Sigurd presented an overview of the statistics reported to PSA. From 2002-2013 an average of 220 incidents related to falling objects were reported each year. In 2013 a total 258 were reported and this was the highest figure since 2008. An overview of the management regulations was described and an example of the reporting form was shown and explained. A breakdown of incidents showed that scaffolding work was a concern, representing 15% of all incidents occurring. Sigurd highlighted the difference between lifting operations and other operations. He noted the history of industry fatalities since 1994 noting the unacceptable numbers associated with dropped objects and more specifically the 9 fatalities related to dropped objects during lifting operations. Sigurd described some of the incident follow up processes, noting that the trend of lifting incidents had been analysed and a series of meetings held between PSA, oil Operators and Drilling Contractors. A joint work venture was establish to address the issues back in 2002 and the trend since then has shown a significant decrease, although incidents are still occurring. Ongoing work is continuing to build NORSOK standards for the safe use of Lifting Equipment. The full presentation is available to download here. For more information, please see the PSA website www.ptil.no or www.psa.no
Statoil Perspective – Jan Olav Farstad, Statoil
Jan Olav’s presentation showed 50% of reported incidents were from falling objects. The categories were pipe handling; lifting; working at height; equipment and structure. A high percentage of these were from 3 main categories - human activity; scaffolding and structure. The SFS handbook (Norway’s Reliable Securing booklet) provides guidance in all of these areas and Statoil encourage everyone to understand and follow the guidance. Jan Olav highlighted some example incidents including a 26kg plate attached to an inadequate 3mm wire that failed with the plate falling and striking an individual. Other examples related to the use of homemade and modified equipment which are still being encountered at many locations despite the guidance and Best Practice now available. Jan Olav noted that Statoil have a case-based training course available to their supply chain with registration free via their website. Hardcopy Norwegian and English copies of SFS handbook were given to attendees.
Safe Work Zone – Alf Rune Falck, Skanits
Alf presented the Safe Work Zone concept developed by Skanits to allow multiple work activities to continue with the screening / protection of work areas to prevent dropped objects from occurring. The concept is effectively a sealed barrier system which provides safe work areas by both horizontal and vertical installations. This allows work to be carried out at multiple levels and in adjacent areas throughout all weather conditions. Some example pictures demonstrated the multiple working zones and a short video showed the barrier system being installed on a variety of locations. Training is also available on use of the barrier system for both installing and using it. If you need more information, please email mail@skanits.no or visit www.skanits.no. Alf’s presentation (no video) is available to download here.
Cyberhawk – Patrick Saracco, Cyberhawk
Patrick presented the close visual inspection system developed by Cyberhawk to carry out remote area inspections. The system employs an ROAV - Remote Operated Aerial Vehicle (essentially a drone). This system is operated by qualified pilots in tandem with experienced inspection professionals. This innovative inspection system reduces exposure to hazardous environments, reduces costs and increases efficiency and effectiveness by allowing better planning of maintenance and turnarounds. A short video clip of an aerial inspection was shown. Example images showed the great visual detail that is achieved and example thermal images are also available. Several case studies were discussed showing the benefits of the ROAV, eg no abseiling required; no scaffolding requirement; hard to reach assets inspected etc. For more information, contact patrick.saracco@thecyberhawk.com or visit www.thecyberhawk.com
BLH Stop Drop Barricading – Klaus Myklebust, BLH-DOM
Klaus presented a safety guard / DROPS barrier concept developed by BLH-DOM. The barriers or guards are made from a plastic polymer formula and multi-fit to a wide variety of structures, such as handrails, scaffolding etc in order to prevent objects falling or passing and also to prevent access to moving or hazardous equipment. The barriers have a unique snap-lock system which means no bolts, screws or additional fasteners. The barriers also are anti-corrosive and cost effective as they need no on-going maintenance (eg checking for rust). The system installation was shown and described in more detail. The product has been independently tested and certified to a variety of standards including NORSOK and BS. The product testing includes wind, chemical, fire testing, UV light, and impact resistance. The product is recyclable and environmentally friendly. For further information, please visit www.blh-dom.com or email post@blh-dom.com. The presentation is available to download here.
Incidents, Learnings & Initiatives – Lukasz Szadkowski, NOV
Lukasz provided an overview of how NOV is working together with their various departments to try and eliminate dropped objects from occurring when using NOV equipment. As a manufacturer, they play an integral part in the DROPS Supply Chain and have developed a standardised process to determine root cause analysis and to brainstorm prevention and secondary retention methods. NOV has a tracker ticket process that is used to monitor dropped objects and this has enabled them to introduce design change and modifications requests etc. Statistics of NOV incidents were shown and lessons learned from customers were explained. Lukasz showed where several key design changes have been to equipment in response to incidents and in pursuit of greater safety. For more information or to discuss further, contact Lukasz.Szadkowski@nov.com. Lukasz’ presentation is available to download here.
Verifying Bolted Joint Safety – Csaba Madru/Gosta Rydin, Preload Technologies
Csaba provided a background to Preload Technologies and highlighted the high frequency of dropped objects resulting from bolted joint failures. Preload Technologies have now developed SmartBolts – an innovative concept where standards bolt incorporate a micro-indicator that reacts to bolt elongation to indicate loss of preload. Csaba demonstrated this simple solution and its ease of use. For more details contact gosta.rydin@preloadtech.com or csaba.madru@preloadtech.com. The full presentation is available to download here.
Open Floor and Any Other Business
Jan Olav and Greg thanked everyone for their participation, invited any questions and encouraged the attendees to exploit the networking and demonstration that followed lunch.
Next meetings:
- Date: Thursday 27 November 2014
- Time: 0945-1230 (Festive lunch to follow ending 1500)
- Venue: Marcliffe Hotel, Aberdeen
- Host: DROPS Global Steering Committee Members