BackDROPS Forum - Singapore, 28th June 2012
On 28 June 2012, we had our third DROPS forum in Asia. The forum was held at Singapore’s largest convention centre, Marina Bay Sand, with over 100 attendees from the industry. This forum is free of charge for all participants; hence, it wouldn’t have been made possible without the generous support of Maersk Drilling (Singapore & Brunei) and ModuSpec (Singapore)
Joachim van der Meulen, Secretary DROPS Asia / ModuSpec and Leong Weng Fei, DROPS Asia / Baker Hughes to led the forum.
An emergency preparedness briefing was conducted by the building’s management staff, to go over the evacuation route in the building in case of any emergency with the audiences.
Forum Opening - Joachim van der Meulen, ModuSpec
Joachim conducted a brief history of DROPS and thanked the members for their support. Joachim also extended his welcome to new members from PSA, thanking them for their assistance in the region and support in the implementation of extensive dropped object prevention programmes.
DROPS Asia had recently been collaborating with Singapore governmental bodies to raise awareness of Dropped Object prevention. The objectives of the meeting were also highlighted in the agenda.
Preventing Dropped Objects – The KFELS Way - Issac Yeo, Keppel FELS
A national statistics chart from Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council was shown to identify the numbers of incidents caused by falling objects, hence the importance of preventing dropped object related incidents within the shipyards. Keppel FELS has been managing dropped object prevention effectively since 2007. This is reflected in the reduction of incidents.
Issac identified some of the common dropped object incidents and areas, where one might overlook, that poses threats in the shipyard. He also shared with us some of the safety practices which can help to greatly reduce dropped object incidents. Keppel also promotes DROPS Best Practice by encouraging their employees to come up with innovative ideas. One particular invention which caught many attendees’ attention was a “magnetic tools carrier”.
Keppel FELS will consider sponsoring a DROPS forum in Singapore next year.
Follow this link to download the presentation.
WELLS & DROPS - Current Performance and Future Challenges - Scott Dennon, SHELL
Shell targets ‘zero fatalities and no incidents’ that harm people or facilities at risk. Shell recognises that one of the major hazards faced by wells operations activities is dropped objects. Many of these dropped object incidents are considered high-potential (HIPOs).
Shell is proud of the safety performance achieved since the introduction of DROPS best practice. Scott advised that continued support and effort is required from all parties involved in well service activities in order to achieve target zero. Scott emphasized the importance of implementing Red Zones; instructing 3rd party surveys and picture book development; conducting weekly DROPS inspections of derrick and cranes; and also the development of systems and processes to control tools aloft.
Scott presented examples of the measures that Shell undertakes to prevent dropped objects in the workplace and how the company promotes the importance of dropped object prevention to their employee and industries.
Follow this link to download the presentation.
DROPS – Best Practice (Red Zone) - David John Woodruff, Maersk Drilling Brunei Branch
David showed us the rig floor and derrick area of the Maersk Completer, marking out the Red zones and Green zones. Maersk Drilling had also identified the potential hazards of assigning a “spotter” to station at the roughnecks where the pipes are being racked back into the derrick fingers. The precaution Maersk Drilling took was to install a “derrick camera” which gives the Driller or A/D a clear view of the derrick fingers and pipe stands.
Maersk Drilling also actively promote DROPS in their organization and encourage their employees to identify and give recommendation on areas / zones which poses threat. One great example is an employee identified an area on the Maersk Completer sack room, similar to an incident which occurs in a sack room of another rig, hence propose to mark the area as No-Go zone.
David shared with us images of a BOP unit, which they take initiative to implement safety barriers, safety ladder, kick plates, etc to prevent any unforeseen dropped object incidents.
Follow this link to download the presentation.
Activity with the attendees: Top Six Issues which you will Stop Work - Scott Dennon, SHELL
Scott facilitated a short workshop discussion. The following outputs were noted as the top six reasons for stopping the job because of potential for dropped objects or other hazards:
- Red Zone Violation
- Loose objects on load / deck
- No tethered tools when working at height
- Substandard (Damaged, uncertified, no inspection, lapsed certification) lifting equipment
- Adverse condition for lifting
- No pre job planning (JSA / PTW / Lifting plan etc)
Back2Basics Situational Awareness Safety Animations - Go Home Safe Team
Go Home Safe language free situational awareness safety animations display examples of unsafe work practice and how to prevent incidents by active observation, monitoring and feedback by the workforce. The first safety awareness animation featured the dangers of an unplanned simultaneous operation with winches and tuggers resulting in an uncontrolled lift, dropped objects and equipment damage. The second animation demonstrates the importance to identify, be aware of and adhere to of Red zones and No go zones in the workplace during activity.
DROPS designed into New Builds - Lars Ravn Hansen, Maersk Drilling
Collision of drilling equipment, material, drill pipe during crane operations and BOP handling are some of the main operation which generate dropped objects.
Lars presented to the audiences two impressive 3D animations of a new build jack up project, on how they will implement DROPS best practice on the new build rig. The first animation shows the process of material handling using forklifts and elevators. The second animation shows pipe handling using machines controlled by Driller or A/D.
Lars also shared with us how dropped objects can be prevented during BOP handling: fully enclosed workshop environment, eliminating the need for lifting over live platform well head decks like implementing barriers like steel plating protecting the platform below, BOPs moved by transporter instead of hoist, overhead transvers cranes and skidding arrangements for wellheads.
Follow this link to download the presentation.
Ownership of the Work Place - Andrew Calderwood, ModuSpec
Andrew commented that many of the personnel on site have limited training on prevention of drops or indeed what to look out for. “Often when we questioned why someone left something which could roll off a beam, they say it can’t roll as the rig isn’t moving. They don’t see the bigger picture that sooner or later, the rig will move and the item they’ve left there will drop! To them, it’s someone else’s problem to pick it up…..or more importantly, it’s someone else’s problem when it drops! THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE DON’T TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THEIR WORKPLACE.”
Andrew emphasize that everyone should be accountable for their own work place in order to eliminate dropped objects during the rig construction phase.
Follow this link to download the presentation.
Drops Trac - Anthony Burton Scott, OCS
‘Companies that do not embrace software technology in the next five years are bound to fail in the next ten years due to the rapid expansion of software in industry.’
Anthony recommends that companies should standardize an inspection processes and reporting system to assist and analysis assets and get consistent results. He shared with the audiences their company’s innovative inspection and risk management software solution - presenting detailed screenshots and discussed with us on how each fields work.
Anthony concluded by stating that a well-developed system that is able to analyse dropped object survey results will effectively improve operations, reduce costs, and offer further benefit in identifying trends and training needs.
For further details, visit www.ocsgroup.com
Surveyor’s Field Kit for use at height - Andy Frankland, ModuSpec
ModuSpec has undertaken an initiative to update their surveyor’s procedures and equipment when performing dropped object inspections, or other work at height services. With the assistance of STOPDROP, ModuSpec has developed a series of surveyor’s field tools that are designed to be used for both normal operations and when working at height. The first prototype of the surveyor’s field kit was displayed at the forum for browsing.
When conducting a drops inspection, ModuSpec will inspect using the same access and systems as the rig crew would use, they do not abseil, as the crew does not normally do this as all equipment should be accessible. They not only check equipment, they will also check the people and the systems involved. The basic tools required for a derrick inspection for instance, is simply a camera, or where cameras are not allowed, a notebook and pen. ModuSpec have been experimenting with different types of cameras and gloves to allow safer inspections. The final selection of gloves and cameras were on display at the forum along with a selection of other tools used for different types of working at height services.
Follow this link to download the presentation.
Concepts and Implementation of DROPS – the Practical Approach - Leong Weng Fei, Baker Hughes
Baker Hughes goal is to maintain a consistent appreciation and management of DROPS best practice across the Enterprise.
In effort to ensure that dropped objects incidents are highlighted to the Baker Hughes community, a series of DROPS Moment will be used to illustrate how dropped objects incidents can be prevented. Incidents will be analysed, by looking at the common Equipment Barriers, Process Barriers, and People Barriers that contribute to dropped objects.
Follow this link to download the presentation.
Closing Address - Leong Weng Fei, Baker Hughes
Leong gave his thanks to the attendees, presenters and all helping parties who make the function possible. DROPS aim not to only create awareness within the oil and gas industry, but also to other industries, locations and activities where dropped object incident could also occur.
DROPS being a non-profit-making body require a lot of support and sponsorship from the industry. DROPS welcome any organization that shares the same passion in promoting and sharing information to the industry to come forward, either as sponsors or presenters.