Overboard scaffolding operations and their effect on diving safety

 

Version history

February 2024 Rev. 1.1 – Update of preface, reference links and layout, but no change to content

March 2021 Rev. 1 – Updates to recommendations and references

July 2016 Rev. 0.1 – Minor updates made during review process

April 1996 – Initial publication

 

Summary

Outboard activities on offshore installations, including movement of tubulars, scaffolding erection and dismantling, are an inherent danger.

The risk of falling debris creates an obvious hazard for diving activities taking place below.

Scaffolding accidentally dropped into the sea can have many different shapes and forms which will affect its trajectory and speed in the water.

Tubulars and scaffolding poles are the most likely causes of potential hazard due to their frequency of use.

Divers have reported scaffolding poles lodged in a vertical position in the seabed around offshore installations.

This places divers at risk from ‘spearing’. In addition, scaffolding poles have demonstrated that they can glide in water a considerable distance away from the installation.

 

Contents

• Introduction
• Scope
• Objectives
• Application
• Background
• Recommendations
• References