Richard Benzie
Dropped objects – still happening; and still harming – we must never expose ourselves, or others, to the risk of dropped or falling objects. That’s the message in a new video now available to watch on the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) website. The short, and highly emotive video, highlights the importance of safe working practices, not only to offshore personnel, but to their families at home.
The video was prepared by Technip with help from Atlas; and as Technip’s Marine Operations Services QHSE Director, Pete Somner, and Chairman of IMCA’s Marine Division Management Committee, says on the video: “It is by better understanding of our processes and correct use of tools and equipment that we can ensure everyone returns home safely.”
The DROPS Forum has requested that the video be made available across the industry to share good practice, and this has seen Subsea UK, Oil & Gas UK (OGUK) and now IMCA all spreading the word. It is freely available to all at www.imca-int.com/safety-
“We agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments Pete Somner expresses on the video, ” says Richard Benzie, Technical Director of IMCA. “We only have to look at our own safety and environmental statistics for 2015, which will be published in full by mid-June, to see that being struck by moving/falling objects was a significant cause of Lost Time Injuries (LTIs), accounting for 20% of the total reported in the year, to know how important it is to keep stressing that more care must be taken..
“I know members will agree that this kind of collaborative approach to safety is cost-effective and worthwhile. We, and especially our Safety, Environment and Legislation (SEL) Core Committee, would like to thank Technip for making the video so widely available.”
About IMCA
- IMCA is an international association with over a thousand members in more than 60 countries representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies. IMCA has four technical divisions, covering marine/specialist vessel operations, offshore diving, hydrographic survey and remote systems and ROVs, plus geographic sections for the Asia-Pacific, Central & North America, Europe & Africa, Middle East & India and South America regions. As well as a core focus on safety, the environment, competence and training, IMCA seeks to promote its members’ common interests, to resolve industry-wide issues and to provide an authoritative voice for its members.
- IMCA publishes some 200 guidance notes and technical reports – many are available for free downloading by members and non-members alike. These have been developed over the years and are extensively distributed. They are a definition of what IMCA stands for, including widely recognised diving code of practice, DP documentation, marine and ROV good practice guidance, the Common Marine Inspection Document (CMID) – now available electronically as eCMID, safety recommendations, outline training syllabi and the IMCA competence scheme guidance. In addition to the range of printed guidance documents, IMCA also produces safety promotional materials, circulates information notes and distributes safety flashes.
