Section 8 Risks to personnel from dropped objects
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Clasifications Register Rules and Regulations - Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Offshore Units, July 2022 - Part 3 Functional Unit Types and Special Features - Chapter 1 General Requirements for Offshore Units - Section 8 Risks to personnel from dropped objects

Section 8 Risks to personnel from dropped objects

8.1 Goal

8.1.1 The requirements of this Section are to ensure that preventive measures to protect personnel from hazards from dropped objects (DROPS), are addressed, in so far as they affect the objectives of classification.

8.2 Class notation

8.2.1 Where the requirements of this Section are met to the satisfaction of LR, units will be eligible to be assigned the DROPS class notation. This notation will be retained as long as the preventive measures to protect personnel from hazards from dropped objects are found to be maintained to the satisfaction of LR, upon examination at the prescribed surveys.

8.3 Scope

8.3.1 Each unit is required to have a DROPS management system in place that is relevant to the design and specifics of the unit.

8.3.2 The Builder or Owner is to create a general arrangement drawing of critical DROPS areas. This is to be clearly displayed in general information areas throughout the unit and accommodation.

8.3.3 The DROPS General Arrangement drawing will identify each area with colour coding and will clearly indicate the criticality levels within areas of the unit. The colour criticality coding is to be assigned as follows:
  1. Green Zone:

    Area where there is a low risk of being injured by dropped objects.

  2. Yellow Zone:

    Area where there is a risk of being injured by dropped objects.

  3. Red Zone:

    Area where there is a significant risk of being injured by dropped objects.

8.3.4 Zones are to be clearly displayed at all access points to the respective areas. All signs are to be pictorial to eliminate potential issues with different languages. Refer to Pt 12, Ch 1, 35.1 Recognised codes and standards for signage for further information.

8.3.5 All third-party equipment, permanent or temporary, is to undergo a design risk assessment before installation. Records and methods of inspecting the third-party equipment are to be maintained and available for LR review.

8.3.6 Suitable equipment and hand tools for working at height are to be provided. Details and records of inspection of such tools and equipment are to be maintained and available for LR review.

8.3.7 When the use of DROPS shelters is incorporated into the safety management system, full structural and installation details of the shelters, including the intended level of safety, are to be presented for LR review.

8.3.8 The preventive maintenance systems of the unit are to indicate where specialised work at height tooling is required for routine maintenance.

8.3.9 Details of electrical and mechanical controls to prevent objects falling, e.g. pipe clamps, are to be provided.

8.3.10 Details of visual indication and audible signals pertinent to the warning system for dropped objects are to be provided.

8.3.11 The risk of persons falling from height is to be considered. Details of safety nets and other fall arrest and drop protection arrangements are to be provided.

8.3.12 All handling activities, e.g. pipe handling and lifting objects, are to be considered as working under suspended loads and are to be considered in the DROPS management system.

8.3.13 An inventory of permanent fixed equipment is to be created and maintained by the unit; the inventory is to include photographs and a description of each item. The photographs are to be taken both from a distance and from close up to avoid confusion with identification. Each individual item of equipment is to be identified by permanent marking or by the use of suitably attached durable labels. This is to incorporate scheduled routine inspections to verify that no modifications, changes or damage to the equipment has occurred since the initial inspection on installation, or previous scheduled inspection.

8.3.14 An inventory of temporarily installed equipment is to be created and maintained by the unit. This will incorporate scheduled routine inspections to verify that no modifications, changes or damage to the equipment has occurred since the initial inspection on installation, or previous scheduled inspection.

8.3.15 A programme of scheduled surveys and inspection is to be created; methods and records of inspection and any remedial actions to prevent reoccurrence are to be maintained and be available for LR review.

8.3.16  A record of dropped objects, with reasons for each incident, is to be maintained, and is to be available for review by LR.


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