Unsafe flooring led to man overboard fatality
A fatality occurred in January 2023, on an offshore worksite, whereby a worker fell overboard because of a dislodged section of polymer grating, commonly used in the offshore industry. The incident did not occur on an IMCA members’ facility.
What happened
On a jackup rig in transit, a crew member was reported missing, believed to have gone overboard. The missing crew member finished their shift at 18:00 and was last seen just after 19:00. During the investigation it was identified that a section of polymer grating outside an accommodation door, used to provide a means of access and egress, had become dislodged, thereby exposing employees to the hole in the decking area.
It is understood that the lost crew member must have fallen through this hole.
Further inspection by the UK Health and Safety Executive revealed that further multiple polymer grating systems had been installed similar to the one that was dislodged and were found to be unsecure. See also https://www.hse.gov.uk/safetybulletins/floor-grating-systems.htm.
Actions
There is potential for a similar incident to occur on IMCA members’ vessels or installations, in work areas such as towers, reels, cranes and access platforms, or ROV systems, and on external walkways.
- Identify areas on the vessel where this kind of grating is found (Glass Reinforced Plastics (GRP) or Fibre Reinforced Plastics (FRP)) and ensure that the fasteners are installed as per the OEM instructions;
- Ensure the possibility of such grating coming loose and falling, is included in existing dropped object checklists;
- Update planned maintenance systems as required.
Members may wish to refer to
Safety Event
Published: 3 October 2023
Download: 
IMCA SF 23/23
IMCA Safety Flashes
Submit a Report
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of all. The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on Members sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Please consider adding safetyreports@imca-int.com to your internal distribution list for safety alerts or manually submitting information on incidents you consider may be relevant. All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate.
IMCA’s store terms and conditions (https://www.imca-int.com/legal-notices/terms/) apply to all downloads from IMCA’s website, including this document.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in the documents it publishes, but IMCA shall not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained. The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual’s or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.