Potential Dropped Objects (PDOs) returned with units

In the offshore environment Potential Dropped Objects (PDO’s) are a major safety risk as the transportation of units is normally completed using cranes and lifting items great heights. This poses the risk of items falling and striking personnel in the vicinity.

Over the years, many PDO’s have been discovered during post-hire inspections of units returned from the offshore environment. These have been found on gratings, tank frames, supports and forklift pockets.

These PDO’s range from hand tools, couplings, bolts, rollers to scaffold tubes and have the potential to cause serious injury or fatality if they fell from height.

Personnel at sites have shown exceptional diligence in discovering, removing and reporting these items allowing organisations to escalate these instances to transport and offshore companies returning these units.

Safe Working Practices:

•Prior to any transport / lift of a unit, carry out a check to ensure there are no PDOs present

•Take a photo of any PDOs found – to make reporting and sharing of learnings with industry easier

•Remove, make safe and report PDO’s to your line manager and HSE department