The Persistent Issue of Dropped Objects

Despite its significant advancements, the drilling industry still reports dropped objects as one of the top causes of potential incidents. This ongoing issue has spurred the development of various preventive measures. These measures include routine inspections and robust securing methods. However, when these preventive measures do not succeed, the industry turns to mitigating measures. These measures ensure the safety of personnel when a dropped object incident occurs.

The Central Theme: Failing Safely or Failing Lucky

A critical question arises when such an incident occurs. Did we anticipate this potential outcome and put measures in place to prevent harm? Or did we merely avoid disaster by chance? This distinction between “failing safely” and “failing lucky” became the central theme of an industry panel discussion held on 23 June 2022.

The Panel Discussion: Fail Safe or Fail Lucky

The webinar, titled “Fail Safe or Fail Lucky,” assembled industry experts. Shi Beng Hooi from Shell Malaysia, David Jamieson from Bowtie Master, William Lai from Baker Hughes, and Joachim van der Meulen from DROPS Asia were the panelists. Axess Group, Dropsafe, Stopdrop Tooling, GreenPin, and Shell Malaysia sponsored the discussion. All these organizations are key players in the industry, committed to enhancing safety standards.

Shell Malaysia’s Holistic Approach

Representing Shell Malaysia, Shi Beng Hooi highlighted the company’s holistic approach to preventing dropped objects. He explained that Shell invests heavily in training and awareness programs. These programs ensure that its workforce understands the risks and knows how to mitigate them. The company also has robust procedures and standards in place. Regular inspections and audits ensure compliance.

Bowtie Master’s Risk Management Model

David Jamieson, representing Bowtie Master, shared insights on the application of the bowtie risk management model in preventing dropped objects. Bowtie Master specializes in providing risk management solutions and training. David emphasized the importance of understanding and managing both the preventive and mitigating measures in the bowtie model. This understanding helps to effectively manage the risk of dropped objects.

Baker Hughes’ Comprehensive Approach

William Lai from Baker Hughes discussed the company’s comprehensive approach to preventing dropped objects. Baker Hughes focuses on design and engineering controls to eliminate or mitigate the risk of dropped objects. The company also invests in training and competency development. This investment ensures that their workforce has the knowledge and skills to work safely.

DROPS Asia’s Emphasis on Safety Culture

Joachim van der Meulen from DROPS Asia moderated the discussion. He emphasized the importance of creating a culture where safety is a core value. In this culture, everyone feels empowered to speak up and take action to prevent dropped objects.

Conclusion: The Need for Continuous Learning, Collaboration, and Innovation

In conclusion, the “Fail Safe or Fail Lucky” webinar provided valuable insights into the challenges and strategies associated with preventing dropped objects in the drilling industry. The panelists agreed that while technical solutions are crucial, creating a culture of safety and personal responsibility is equally important. The discussion underscored the need for continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation in the industry’s ongoing efforts to enhance safety and prevent dropped objects incidents.

The presentation starts at 4m03s

Sponsors

The webinar Fail Safe or Fail Lucky was kindly sponsored by Axess Group, Dropsafe, Stopdrop Tooling, GreenPin and Shell Malaysia.

Following the webinar, participants joined the DROPS Metaverse for a virtual networking reception. To try it out for yourself, download the app for the Meta Quest (Virtual Reality), Windows or Mac here.