Introduction

Les LinklaterExecutive DirectorStep Change in Safety

“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage – to move in the opposite direction.”

EF Schumacher

Lifting OperationsRisk Assessment & Planning Process

Graham YoungTechnical DirectorATR

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Background

• Although great strides have been made and lifting incidents have reduced unfortunately they still occur.

• The most common theme when such incidents occur is the failure to identify site specific hazards with the risk assessment instead focussing on generic hazards which are common to all lifting operations.

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New Approach

• Generic hazards grouped together with control measures always in place (Appendix 1)

• The risk assessment will then focus on non-generic hazards specific to the lift being carried out

• Every Lifting Operation assessed on its own merits • TBT focused on the Lifting Plan and site specific

hazards with control measures identified

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Background

• Since the first publication of the Step Change ‘Lifting and Mechanical Handling Guidelines’ 11 - 12 years ago, the offshore industry has adopted the principals detailed in the guidelines with particular emphasis placed on the development and use of lifting plans.

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New Approach

• TBT cards specific to Lifting Operations (Appendix 4a and 4b)

• Work party members allocated specific responsibilities

• Dynamic RA incorporating Situational Awareness should continue throughout the entire task

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Changes in the planning process

• If, during the drafting of the lifting plan, hazards are identified that are not part of the generic hazards for lifting operations, or they cannot be eliminated in the lifting plan, then these will need to be addressed in the lifting operations risk assessment and the control measures identified.

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Changes in the planning process

• The normal hazards associated with lifting operations should be grouped together as generic hazards and the duty holder will need to have the required control measures in place to address these.

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Changes in the planning process

Lifting Operation Risk Assessment• Upon completion of the draft lifting plan, the

Competent Person must identify any hazards which are not ‘generic hazards’

• Where such hazards remain then they must be addressed in a lifting operation risk assessment.

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Changes in the planning process

Lifting Operation Risk Assessment• The Competent Person should avoid recording

the ‘generic hazards controls,’ (Appendix 1) where such hazards have already been recognised as continuously re-occurring and are eliminated or controlled by identified processes already in place.

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Changes in the planning process

Lifting Operation Risk Assessment• This will then allow the risk assessment

process to focus on the specific hazards associated with the lifting operation.

• Following this stage the lifting plan and risk assessment may require further technical review.

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Changes in the planning process

During the Lifting Operation • As a job proceeds, it becomes natural for an

individual’s sensitivity to risk to diminish, this is due to growing familiarity and the knowledge that the lifting operation is going according to plan.

• It is therefore vital that the process of evaluating risk is dynamic, that it is continuous throughout the entire lifting operation.

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Any Questions?

15 min coffee break

TOOL BOX TALKS

Kenny LawtieHead of LiftingWGPSN

Different Types of Lifting Operations

• There are two main types of Lifting and Hoisting Operations

1) Deck Lifting Operations; carried out with the use of the installation cranes.

2) Portable Lifting Operations; carried out with the use of portable lifting equipment

• Both need a robust Tool Box Talk before beginning and at different times during the lifting operation depending on circumstances.

Prompt Cards

• The new version of the Step Change Lifting & Mechanical Handling Guidelines provides two very good “Prompt Cards” one for each of the aforementioned lift types.

• Both give good guidance on the type of information that should be discussed and delivered.

Prompt Cards

• The guidance given in this document is not meant to be restrictive and each dutyholder can add any additional items they feel are specific to their own installation or are required on the day.

Allocation of Responsibility• Personal responsibility means assigning

different tasks to different people.

• This clearly assigns the duties and gives accountability to the individual for the particular task.

Task Persons allocating the responsibility and details of any additional control measures

Name

6.Nominate the Banksman and Slingers / Load Handlers Allocated by Supervisor B/M: J SmithL/H: B Kidd & A Mann

8. Check condition of load for dropped objects Allocated by Supervisor A.Mann

Personal Responsibility

• If a person is specifically identified to carry out a particular task he is more likely to do it.

• He may willingly embrace the challenge and feel pride in doing his job correctly.

• Or he may only do it because it he has been asked to.

• Either way he is more likely to do it, resulting in a win for all and a safer environment.

Human Factors Checklist

• Some of us can remember 7 plus or minus 2 things at any one time, for most of us it is only 5 plus or minus 2

• Appendix 5 of the new Lifting and Mechanical Handling Guidelines deals with Human Factors

• It gives a very comprehensive check list for items which we as humans can easily forget and on many occasions do forget.

Human Factors Checklist

• It is not a requirement to use these human factors checklists for every lifting operation as human factors have been integrated throughout this document.

• However these checklists serve as prompts for periodic audit and assurance purposes.

• Make use of them, its worth an occasional check just to see how many things you have remembered, 3, 5, 7 maybe even 9.

Human Factors Checklist

• However, on a daily basis your team’s attitude and thought process may change any number of times for any number of reasons.

• After planned breaks have another Tool Box Talk keep things fresh in their minds.

• If during the shift things appear to be changing, if someone seems distracted STOP, regroup and have another Tool Box Talk.

Dynamic Risk Assessment• Remember new hazards may appear at any time,

a change in the weather, the start of another work scope nearby, even a tannoy announcement.

• Everyone should be continually assessing their surroundings looking for new hazards and communicating the required controls to others, or STOPPING the job to allow the controls to be implemented. If you do identify any and you feel it is required have another Tool Box Talk

REMEMBER

• The Tool Box Talk belongs to you, the work party.

• Use it to its best advantage.• Listen to others, contribute to the discussions,

don’t be afraid to question. • Make the decision to lead the Tool Box Talk

Concluding Remarks:an HSE Inspectors View

Trevor GreggMechanical Engineering Inspector

Our Strategy is to focus on the Control of Major Accident Hazards

1. Hydrocarbon Releases

2. Structural Integrity

• We inspect how these hazards are managed

• That the maintenance of Safety Critical Systems and Plant is

being undertaken

• Examining ORA’s that are in place and Maintenance Backlogs

A Reminder

• Since Piper Alpha the offshore work activity that has killed and injured the most personnel is Mechanical Handling and Crane Operations.

• None of these incidents resulted in a major accident hazard however the potential still exists.

Industry Progress with Lifting and Mechanical Handling

• Massive improvement since the first issue of these Guidelines

• At that time fatalities were running at one a year

• Last fatality in 2007 • However we still have incidents and near

misses so we must continue to strive to make improvements

This Latest Draft is such an Improvement

• Industry has become good at producing lifting plans but not at producing meaningful risk assessments

• Site specific hazards are frequently missed • Therefore a new approach to the risk

assessment process is included in this latest draft

What do we expect

• These Guidelines represent Industry Best Practise

• Expectation that Duty holders will adopt them or show they have something equally as good in place

• Inspectors will refer to them when undertaking an inspection based upon HSE’s Mechanical Handling and Crane Operations Inspection Guidelines

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Any Questions?

#Playyourpart