Siemens Corporate Design PowerPoint-Templates

Dropped Objects

ContentsHow bad is the problem?Purpose for TOFSDefinitionsMisconceptions about Falling ObjectsWhy focus on Dropped ObjectsThe effects of Dropped ObjectsForce and Impact Examples of risk areasWhat contributes to Dropped ObjectsRisk CalculatorHow can I personally prevent Dropped ObjectsWhy Should I Work Safely

How bad is the problem?At WorkDropped objects are among the Top 10 causes of fatality and serious injury across offshore industries

At HomeThe Top 3 causes of fatal accidents are fallsfrom height, being struck by vehicles and beingstruck by falling objects

(Stats by RoSPA).

Purpose of Time Out For SafetyTo describe measures to prevent the occurrence of dropped objects, align with industry best practices and meet legislative requirements.

Definition of Dropped Objects

A dropped object is:Any object, with the potential to cause death, injury or equipment /environmental damage, that falls from its previous position under its own weight.STATIC DROPPED OBJECTA static dropped object is any object that falls from its previous position under its own weight Where Gravity takes over.

DYNAMIC DROPPED OBJECTA dynamic dropped object is any object that falls from its previous position due to applied force from equipment / machinery or moving object Like a collision, perhaps during a lifting operation for example.

Misconceptions

Why Focus on Dropped Objects Dropped objects are regularly one of the principal causes of incidents within offshore industries and contribute significantly to offshore and onshore facilities.The consequences of a falling object include: Personal injury/deathStructural damageDamage to equipmentFinancial costs / potential fines &penaltiesLoss in production time

Notice 7

The Effects of Dropped Objects

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Force & ImpactIf an object with a mass of 1kg is dropped from a height of 120mthen the objects velocity just before impact is 48.5 m/s. The Kinetic Energy (K.E.) at this point = 1176 Joules (J).

But this alone does not permit us to calculate the force of impact.

If in addition, we know the distance travelled after impact is (forexample) 0.5m, then the impact force may be calculated using thework-energy principle to be 2352 newton's (N). This is equal to been hit with a force of 239.8 kilograms.

Or alternatively, a bag of sugar hitting with the force of 2 grown men.

Examples of Risk Areas

Transition Piece

Transfer Boat DeckOther areas with high potential for droppedobjects include the turbine entrance / transformerlevel, Power level, A4 and Yaw level.

Contributing Factors page 1To ensure safety from falling objects, understanding the primary causes of incidents can help conduct thorough risk assessments before commencing a job. According to industry research the following reasons are the top ten causes of falling object incidents at the workplace.Procedures and Systems1) Inadequate Risk Assessment A pre-assessment to identify potential hazards is often crucial and can prevent the risk of an incident occurring. A risk assessment can identify potential energy sources, catalogue tools and equipment required for the job, and create a heightened awareness amongst staff about the potential dangers of falling objects.2) Lack of Planning In addition to risk assessments, very often a management of change process isnt in place to identify and control risk from changes occurring at the workplace that may create new and unidentified areas of risk3) Previous Jobs A previous job conducted on the work site, can leave behind tools, loose objects and equipment that current job staff are unaware of. Unidentified, these can pose unexpected risk.4) Inadequate repairs and Inspections Schedules times for inspections and maintenance repairs can help identify corrosion, damages, wear and tear as well as structural and equipment faults or damage before they become a falling object risk.

Tools, Equipment and Structural Faults5) Failed Fixtures and Fittings Poor Design, Corrosion, Vibration, Incorrect Selection and Implementation of fixtures and Fittings can all lead to failure. Failed fixtures and fittings can and will often dislodge itself and fall from place, if not inspected.6) Damaged Tools & Equipment Improvised or home-made tools, equipment that is uncertified, or even damaged tools and equipment from previous jobs and incidents can fail or break unexpectedly. Timely inspection and replacement before each job can reduce this risk.7) Loose Objects Manual Tools, Hand tools, Debris, Communication and writing equipment that is unsecured or untethered can be accidentally dropped.Task Planning8) Environmental Conditions Wind, Sea motion, Rain, Mud, Heat and Sand can all change work conditions dramatically particularly when working at Height, compromising stability of tools, equipment and the structure.9) Collisions and Snagging Lifting, Moving Equipment and Tag Lines can all cause snagging or collision and the impact can create debris, or breakage.10) Human Error Inadequate training or awareness of hazards, operator error, complacency, neglect and lack of reporting SOPs can result in compromised safety. Toolbox sessions including an outline of falling object hazards and schedules training or reporting can help reduce this risk.Contributing Factors page 2

Risk Calculator

(Data taken from international Oil & Gas stats for 2013)

Preventing Dropped ObjectsTake responsibility for my actionsSecure all tools and equipment when working at heightLook after my colleaguesMaintain good housekeepingMake observations and report incidentsReview and follow proceduresRecognize known hazards, and follow the controls in placeConsider dropped objects in all Toolbox TalksConsider dropped objects in all Take 5sCheck areas after all work is completedInvestigate all incidents, including near misses